Elmont fights to keep school district costs down

Elmont School District's tax levy will increase by more than $46 million this year, a jump of 2.7 percent over last year. The increase will help to pay for a 2.5 percent increase in the district's total budget relative to the 2009-2010 budget.

Overall, the budget is increasing by a total of $1.78 million, a number with built-in increases for employee benefits and contractual services — including things like insurance, employee training and equipment repair. Instructional salaries are also increasing by more than $1 million. The school district will pay considerably less this year than last for BOCES services and medical insurance, among others.

Elmont School Board President Michael Jaime repeated a familiar refrain for Elmont when talking about the budget, saying that the district stretches its dollar a long way to provide the most value to both students and families.

"The Elmont Union Free School District ranks among the highest in the county for its academic achievement given its diverse student population," Jaime said. "At the same time, the district ranks among the lowest in per pupil spending."

Jaime was quick to add that many of the expenses in the budget — including pension contributions, which in the approved budget will cost the district more than $1.1 million — are mandated by the state.

As with other districts in the area, cuts have been made especially when it comes to purchasing new equipment. The district has eliminated more than $65,000 in instructional media purchases, and will hold off purchasing a bus and some anticipated computer equipment.

Medical insurance costs in the district, which pays insurance costs for hundreds of employees across six schools, went down by more than $600,000 in the budget. Jaime attributed that drop to a less-than-anticipated change in medical insurance rate increases.

Jaime said that ultimately, when it came time to decide what areas needed to be cut, the district had some tough decisions on its hands, and put all factors that wouldn't impact student instruction on the table.

"When the board and Superintendent [Al] Harper put the proposed budget together, all vital factors were taken into consideration. Factors such as mandated cost increases, projected State Aid, and educational program needs were carefully studied to create a balance between educational needs and property tax impact," Jaime said. "However, there are some areas — such as programs for children with special needs that are 'off-Limits' when putting the budget together. Whenever you have to make possible cuts to a budget, the educational program is the last item you want to touch."

Elmont School District, with its six schools, represents a difficult educational system to budget for. Homeowners in the area tend to be vocal in their opposition to high taxes, which makes taking a look at a budget in difficult financial times that much more of a challenge.

Jaime said that once the final decision is made by the voters in the Elmont School District, he's hopeful that people will come together to ensure the educational futures of the district's children.

"Our children receive a high quality, state-of-the-art education, while we continue to be responsive to the needs of our taxpayers," he said. "We encourage the community to participate in the budget vote process on Tuesday, May 18."

Voters in the area can go to any of the district's six schools or the administrative offices on Elmont Road to vote on May 18.