Decisions on Valley Stream budgets looms

Valley Stream’s four school districts are among the 96 percent of districts statewide proposing budgets with tax levy increases at or below the tax-cap limit. Each budget will require only a simple majority to pass when voters head to the polls on May 21.

Several factors impacted this year’s budgets, including millions of dollars more that must be committed to retirement and health insurance costs. After a year-long salary freeze, Valley Stream’s teachers will get a 1.25 percent increase next year plus a longevity-based step increment in January.

After much debate, and some heated Board of Education meetings, the Valley Stream Central High School District board settled on a $106.2 million spending plan, which raises spending by 3 percent. The tax levy would rise 3.04 percent, which is the district’s allowable limit.

School officials had to cut $2.65 million worth of programs and staffing to meet the tax cap. More than a dozen teaching positions and several support staff positions, including teacher assistants and custodians, will be eliminated, and three sports teams, golf, bowling and rifle, will be cut.

“This is a very challenging budget cycle but I think there’s a lot of good things,” said Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich.

He pointed out that the district will continue to offer a full slate of Advanced Placement courses and mental health services. Despite some cuts to extra curricular activities, Heidenreich said there will still be a wide range of after-school clubs for students to join.

Heidenreich noted that when budget discussions began, the conversation was about the cuts being made. With the vote approaching, he hopes that turns the other way. “If you look at what’s there versus what’s not there,” he said, “there’s certainly a lot for our kids to do. There are just so many good things in this budget for our kids.”

The board, he said, chose not to attempt to pierce the tax cap because trustees are mindful of the tough economic times for residents.

Programs maintained at elementary level

While the high school district was forced to make cuts, District 30 was able to present a budget plan that enhances programs, while coming in with a tax levy increase well below the cap.