Hewlett-Woodmere board discusses budget

School budget season has been under way for some time, but now districts are getting down to business as the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education met at the Woodmere Education Center in Woodmere to discuss preliminary plans for the 2018-2019 budget on Jan. 25.

The rollover budget would have been $120.98 million, a 3.89 percent from 2017-2018, but, with some adjustments, the potential budget was reduced to $119.47 million, which would be a 2.59 percent or $3.02 million increase.

One adjustment the board highlighted, was reducing staff at the three elementary schools by one, due to a decline in enrollment. This would cut more than $340,000 from the proposed budget and along with decreases in spending, such as the roughly $593,000 reduction in spending for special education.

“It’s not that we’ll be providing less special education services,” Louis Frontario, assistant superintendent for business, said. “Based off our five-year estimates [the special education department] is very comfortable with the number.”

Individual schools also made requests such as having a part-time bilingual guidance counselor at Hewlett High School become full-time, which would cost the district $59,519 in salary, and the hiring of a single assistant coach for winter and spring track for $11,348, as well as the hiring of assistant coaches for boys’ and girl’s basketball at $7,518 each.

The most expensive request was $182,053 for two full-time custodians to work throughout the district. “My understanding is that we downsized five or six positions back in 2011,” said Superintendent Dr. Ralph Marino, adding that those costs may be mitigated by a reduction in custodian overtime. “Overtime costs have skyrocketed, and we are concerned that we are overusing our subs to do daily work because we don’t have enough people to keep up.

Michele Hochhauser, the district’s English Language Arts chairwoman, presented a proposal for a literacy program in Woodmere Middle School. It would require one full-time teacher, which along with any necessary supplies would cost $145,299. “I do think that if there is a slight gap, for whatever reason, as they are making leap in the transition to middle school and emotionally, socially or academically it’s just too much for them,” she explained. “This is a program This is a program that would help close those gaps [between the students and their peers].”

The board also discussed plans for $15.39 million in spending on capital projects, including new windows, roof repairs for the high school and a technology upgrade; however, these measures will be paid for by the district’s long-range capital reserve fund. It won’t affect the current operating budget.

Residents also shared concerns, notably about the declining enrollment at the Franklin Early Childhood Center and how the tax plan passed by President Donald Trump will affect property taxes. The board said they are aware of those issue and will take them into consideration as the budget is finalized.

The next budget meeting is Feb. 7 (see meetings list) and residents are encouraged to attend. The board will provide an update on the status of the upcoming budget, and estimated revenues and state aid projects. They will also discuss all special education programs and refine the tax levy limit calculations.