When the Jericho School District Board of Education converges on March 10, it will present a full review of revenues and expenditures for the 2016-17 school budget in advance of the board’s adoption of the budget on March 17.
Among the information made public at the board’s third budget workshop on Feb. 25, Jericho’s tax levy threshold for the 2016-17 school year will be approximately 0.5 percent, with a goal to achieve a 0 percent tax levy while securing all instructional programs. The board’s goal is to propose a budget requiring a tax levy before exemptions at or below the tax levy limit prescribed by law. This requires a simple majority vote, or 50 percent plus-1 voter approval. The second option is to propose a budget above tax levy limit. This requires a super majority—60 percent voter approval—and also requires a statement on the ballot indicating the required tax levy before exemptions exceeds the tax levy limit.
According to the board, this year’s budget strategies include remaining “committed to being a premier school district and continue to deliver a high quality 21st century education; committ to our district mission and goals; keep a multi-year perspective on the budget; develop long-range plans for our educational programs and goals; maintain and renovate our facilities; continue technology replacement plans and expand technological initiatives district wide; and continue to pursue efficiencies in all areas of the district.”
In terms of technological improvements district wide, the board’s budget report calls for “district wide tablet implementation, adding over 300 Chromebooks and 270 iPads; replace over 255 desktops and 35 laptops; replace network switches, projectors, Smartboards and printers as needed; increase network speed, reliability and storage; and implement a new Learning Management System.”
