Baldwin school board adopts proposed 2020-2021 budget

The Baldwin Board of Education unanimously voted to adopt the proposed 2020-2021 school budget of about $138 million at its March 11 meeting.

The tax levy, or the amount the district needs to raise through property taxes, is about $98 million, school officials said, which represents an increase of about $2.6 million over the current year’s budget. The total budget represents an increase of about $4.1 million over the current year.

Overall, Schools Superintendent Dr. Shari Camhi said, there is a budget-to-budget increase of 3.11 percent, but it stays within the tax cap of 2.78 percent.

“It’s a three-part budget,” Camhi explained at the meeting using a pie chart, “that’s the way the state says we have to present our budget forward to the board — administrative, capital and program.”

The administrative piece comprises about 11 percent of the budget, while capital comprises about 12 percent and program, about 75 percent. Administrative costs are expected to be about $16 million, while capital is about $17.7 million, and program, $104 million.

“What we talk about all the time is our budget is all about our kids,” Camhi said. “A hundred percent of our budget, everything that we do, whether it’s capital, or administrative, or program, is all about our kids.”

Additionally, State Sen. Todd Kaminsky and Assemblywoman Judy Griffin secured more than $2 .6 million in Smart School funding for the Baldwin School District. These funds will be used to improve internet connectivity infrastructure and upgrade security systems throughout the district.

“We must equip our students with the necessary tools to ensure a prosperous and vibrant future upon leaving the Baldwin School District,” Kaminsky said in a statement. “This investment in education sets the foundation for success and I am happy to be able to play a role in helping our children achieve their goals.”

The district plans to install electronic security systems, cameras, access control mechanisms, locks and intercoms to bolster safety for all students in Baldwin public schools. The district is also using the funds to replace and repair wiring throughout the school system to improve internet service.

“I am thrilled that Governor Cuomo approved $2,673,800 through the Smart Schools Bond Act for the Baldwin UFSD,” Griffin said in a statement. “Baldwin is an impressive and innovative school district that will use this generous funding to make their schools safer for students and faculty by investing in high-tech security and to support their students by providing ways to encourage them to connect with each other and the community.”

“The Baldwin Union Free School District would like to thank Senator Todd Kaminsky and the efforts of our local legislators for recognizing our needs and awarding Baldwin $2.6 million in Smart Schools Bond funding,” Camhi said in a statement. “We plan to use the funds toward enhancing connectivity for student learning and creativity, as well as the installation of high-tech security features to increase safety throughout our buildings.”