School News

Seaford budget maintains programs

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A year after adding staff, academic programs and sports, the Seaford School District is mostly in a holding pattern. The $65.3 million budget adopted by the Board of Education on April 14 maintains everything for the 2016-17 school year, with some minor enhancements.

Spending would increase by 2.63 percent if the budget is approved by voters on May 17, and the tax levy would rise by 1.23 percent, which is within the district’s tax cap. Assistant Superintendent for Business Elisa Pellati said that Seaford is expecting $12.4 million in state aid next year, which includes full restoration of money that has previously been taken away through the gap elimination adjustment. The district will also use $900,000 from its various reserves.

The spending plan does not add any staff but does include funding for the creation of a varsity bowling team, which had been requested by students and parents.

“I am thrilled,” said parent Maureen Mele, who pushed for a bowling team. “I think a lot of people are going to be very excited. It was a lot of work and a long time coming.”

Mele said that she believes the team can be successful, knowing at least a dozen students in outside leagues who would be interested in joining. “I would like to acknowledge and thank the Board of Education and the Seaford administrators for their time, attention, and efforts with regards to adding a high school bowling team,” she added. “I sincerely appreciate the respect that this issue was given.”

The budget includes $621,000 for several capital projects. The gymnasium and stage floors at the Seaford Manor and Harbor elementary schools would be refurbished. There would be an asbestos abatement in the middle school library and, once that project is done, the carpet would be replaced.

Pellati said that original ceilings in all four buildings will be replaced over the next few years. This summer, the district will start with the middle school, including both classroom and hallway ceilings.

A new Advanced Placement human geography course will be added at the high school. “We’ve been able to build up our AP offerings over the past few years pretty substantially,” Superintendent Brian Conboy said.

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