School News

Seaford budget adds back

Cuts in the past as district restores programs

Posted

The Seaford Board of Education adopted a 2015-16 school budget on April 16 that will allow the district to restore some programs and services while remaining within its allowable tax levy cap of 2.28 percent. The spending plan will be presented to the public for a vote on May 19.

For next school year, the district is proposing a budget of $63.6 million, an increase of just under $1 million, or 1.6 percent, over current spending. The tax levy, the total amount of revenue the district must raise through taxes, would be $49.28 million.

If it is approved, the district will be able to hire an elementary school librarian, two elementary teachers, two secondary special-education teachers, one full-time and one part-time social worker and 12 secondary department chairs, and reinstate the middle school athletics program.

“These restorations are sustainable over time,” Superintendent Brian Conboy told residents, adding that the initiatives would help the district address the new Common Core standards. “It’s been a tough six years for us, and we had blood-letting,” he added, referring to the cuts the district has made since 2010, when the financial crisis began to hit schools and state aid was cut.

At the March 12 school board meeting, all four Seaford school principals made presentations to the Board of Education and provided examples of how each school faced the district’s financial challenges with ingenuity and hard work. They also provided the public with examples of how the restorations will help promote student achievement and foster educational excellence.

“I am thrilled to see a library media specialist, who teaches research skills as well as providing a love for books to children,” said Seaford Harbor Principal Donna DeLucia-Troisi. She also said she believes a social worker “can help those children still suffering the effects of [Hurricane] Sandy.”

Manor Principal Debra Emmerich said that the hiring of additional teachers to reduce class size is “tremendously important for our students.”

Page 1 / 2