2.5% hike in H-W budget proposed

The Hewlett-Woodmere School District unveiled a $103.4 million proposed budget — 2.5 percent higher than the current spending plan — at its annual public budget forum, but a majority of students and parents spent their time at the March 30 meeting decrying the proposed cuts in the Discovery Program.

Discovery targets students whom the district considers “high-ability learners” in grades three through eight. Admission qualifications include an aptitude test, academic achievement measured by math and reading grades and a teacher evaluation. Three full-time staff members currently oversee the program, and the proposed budget would reduce that to two, serving three schools, and limit the program to grades three through seven. An after-school program would be added for eighth-graders.

As state aid (exclusive of building aid) for the district decreases by about 4.1 percent, or about $214,000 (from $5.168 million to $4.954 million), the district is looking for ways to save money, and if the tentative Discovery Program budget cut were to be adopted, it would save the district approximately $100,000, officials said.

The overall proposed budget increase is due largely to rising pension costs — with employee benefits increasing by $1.6 million — as well as a $794,907 rise in special education spending. A $223,232 cut in library media services is enrollment driven, and regular school instruction has been cut by $276,487.

Parent Wendy Vargas expressed concern at the forum that the district is spending too much on special education and not enough on gifted children. “The main reason we’re here is because the district provides service to gifted children,” Vargas said. “A lot of people buy houses here because this district is known for that. If we cut the branch we’re sitting on, what’s next? What will be special about this district?”

Laura Seinfeld, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, reassured audience members that the district is not proposing to eliminate the Discovery Program. “We listened very carefully to the thoughts and opinions expressed by community members regarding the district’s Discovery Program,” Seinfeld said. “As we do for all of our academic programs, we will continue to carefully review the program and its goals, and evaluate its benefits for the students of Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools.”

Woodmere Middle School Principal Rick Berkowitz said the Discovery Program is currently offered to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in his school. There are 40 or so eighth-graders who qualify for the program, but only eight are participating.

“The Discovery Lab takes place during students’ lunch period, so eight of them give up their lunch period,” Berkowitz said. “We’re proposing an after-school program students can attend that will be like Discovery and will be open to all students.”

Evan Rusinowitz, the senior class president, said the Discovery Program should not be eliminated in eighth grade. “Saying that current eighth-grade students don’t use it doesn’t mean future students won’t,” he said.

Sophomore Justin Ciraolo said Discovery has been a major part of his life, and he fears that eighth-graders won’t be able to participate in extracurricular activities such as clubs or sports after classes if they take part in Discovery. “If they have to attend Discovery after school, there will be a flow of students in and out of the district,” Ciraolo said. “Without the flow of new great minds, what do we have to offer?”

The school board expected to finalize changes to the budget before adopting it at its next scheduled work meeting, on Wednesday, at 7 p.m., in the auditorium of the Woodmere Education Center. The public will vote on the budget on May 17.