Hewlett-Woodmere unveils tentative 2012-13 budget

Although Hewlett resident Howard Goldstein’s two sons have graduated from high school and no longer attend the Hewlett-Woodmere School District, he decided to come to the budget forum on March 22. Goldstein was curious about how the state’s new 2 percent tax-levy cap would affect the district’s spending plan for 2012-13.

“You hear that the 2 percent cap means your taxes won’t go up more than 2 percent, but there’s no relation,” Goldstein said. “Most of the public thinks one thing, but I came here to keep informed.”

The district unveiled its preliminary 2012-13 budget of just over $106 million at the forum. It was an opportunity for community members to voice their concerns and for residents to submit suggestions to the Board of Education and school administrators. The board is expected to adopt a budget proposal on April 17. District voters will approve or reject the plan on May 15.

“Tonight is really about you,” board President Stephanie Gould said to the 20 or so residents who attended the forum. “This cap comes at a time when major changes are under way, and it has not been an easy task for us.”

The new law establishes a tax levy threshold of approximately 2 percent, which varies from district to district according to a formula provided by the state. A budget with a tax levy increase greater than that limit must be approved by a supermajority — at least 60 percent of voters.

District Business Administrator Joseph DiBartolo said that the district’s maximum increase under the cap is 1.91 percent, which means a tax levy of $93.8 million. “Almost no school districts will have exactly 2 percent,” DiBartolo said, “because based on the formula, some are below and some are above.”

The district is not only dealing with the tax cap, but is also eliminating a total of 15 positions, including 10 teaching assistants, following the implementation of a co-teaching model of two teachers per classroom instead of one teacher and one teaching assistant. “We began the review process [for the co-teaching model] back in the summer,” said Dr. Peter Weber, Hewlett-Woodmere’s assistant superintendent for business. “We want to have a coherent co-teaching model from the early grades to the high school.”

According to Weber, the 15 staff reductions would result in $573,400 in savings for the district. The reductions include positions that will no longer be filled: Dina Anzalone, the director of curriculum and assessment, will leave her position to become principal at Ogden Elementary, and she will not be replaced. The high school dean’s position will also being eliminated when the current dean, Tom Naglieri, becomes an assistant principal at Hewlett High School this fall.

In preparing the upcoming budget, Superintendent Dr. Joyce Bisso said, the Board of Education has been cautious in using the district’s reserve fund. Weber said that the retirement incentive offered to members of the district’s Administrators and Supervisors unit — which includes principals, assistant principals, some directors, chairpersons, guidance counselors, psychologists and social workers — would save the district money, though the exact amount will not be determined until next year.

Fewer tax dollars and budget tightening have forced some districts to close school buildings and cut programs and activities. However, Weber said that is not planned for Hewlett-Woodmere. “You will not find that in this budget,” he said.

With one child at the Franklin Early Childhood Center and two at Hewlett Elementary School, North Woodmere resident Michelle Morgan said she is concerned about the educational services her children will receive but believes the district is doing everything it can in a difficult economy. “There’s not much to argue with,” Morgan said. “We’re falling on hard times. I’m confident [Weber] is doing all he can to provide for our kids.”

Susette Preziosi, the mother of two children at Woodmere Middle School and one at Franklin Early Childhood Center, said she wished more residents had come to the budget forum. “I think the budget was well planned and put together,” she said. “I hope residents come out and vote ‘yes.’”