It has been four months since Superintendent Lucille F. Iconis presented the Massapequa Board of Education Goals and her vision in furthering academic excellence that included the re-configuration of Berner Middle School. Four months that included multiple community focus groups, visits to establis
hed 6-8 middle schools, meetings with district administrators and grade 5-8 teachers and work sessions with the Board of Education. On Jan. 26, the third and final work session focused on the financials attached to moving the sixth grade to the middle school.
“I am proud of the fiscal responsibility this plan demonstrates while providing an enriched rigorous program for our sixth graders” said Iconis as she introduced Alan Adcock, Deputy Superintendent, to present the financials.
The annual operating costs associated with this re-configuration would include 12.5 additional instructional/support positions primarily in the area of guidance counselors, social workers, world language and special education teachers, additional cafeteria support, Chromebooks for sixth grade students and five additional school buses for a total of $1,870,533.
Adcock proposed funding these operating expenses with a combination of anticipated savings from the 15 employees retiring this year and utilities savings that totals $1,339,000. The district historically has always re-invested any anticipated savings back into student programs. This would leave a balance of $531,533.00 to be raised through taxes. Vice President Fisher asked what the average assessed home is currently and the tax impact. Adcock stated that based on Nassau County, the average Massapequa home is assessed at $371,200 therefore this proposal would cost the average home owner $24 more per year.
“The tax impact is a nominal cost to enhance the sixth grade program,” he said.
There would also be a one time building cost for the renovation and outfitting of a technology classroom and an existing third cafeteria serving line, which totals $190,000. Adcock assured the board there is ample funding in the maintenance lines within the budget for these minor renovations.
Although not formally part of the plan, there was a proposal to expand the gymnasium space to better serve students. The gym space is tight, but not a necessity to the program since enrollment continues to decline through 2020-21. This enhancement would also benefit the many community organizations that continuously use the district gyms for athlete programs. The estimated cost for this project would be $1.8 million. The construction may be eligible for state building aide that currently returns 53 percent of the cost back to the district but formal plans need to be submitted for confirmation. Funding for this proposal would come from the $3.5 million capital projects reserve, ensuring no tax impact to residents, although the community would need to authorize this expenditure.
Board president Ryan was concerned how this proposal impacts the annual budget with the state expected to withhold $1.2 million in Gap Elimination Aide next year and a projected tax cap near 0 percent. Adcock is currently working on the 2016-17 budget. This proposal will not impact this coming budget but rather would be reflected in the 2017-18 budget.
In regards to the hot-button topic of the sixth-grade move, Allison Steakin was surprised by the figures presented, stating, “with the possibility of 600 more students, I expected to see more monies allocated…I am less against the move as I am against rushing into a move without first improving the elementary program.”
Community member Kerin Sinai who attended all the presentations was leaning in favor of the move with financials being her deciding factor.
“While the direct out-of-pocket expense is very reasonable by using the savings to subsidize the move, not enough information was presented as to how the costs fits in with the overall five-year plan and broader BOE goals,” she said.
The board of education will meet on Feb. 9 at Berner Middle School for the Superintendent’s Executive Summary and vote whether or not to make it a reality.
