Rockville Centre school budget will avoid program cuts

In a unanimous vote at the Preliminary Budget Hearing on April 17, the Rockville Centre Board of Education adopted a proposed $97.3 million spending plan that will go to the district’s voters on May 15.

The budget stays within the 2 percent tax-levy-increase cap signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last June, and it preserves all of the district’s academic programs, sports, music and extracurricular activities as well as staff levels. It also maintains funding for the district’s capital projects and debt service.

If the plan is approved, the average school district homeowner would see a school tax increase of $120, according to Assistant Superintendent Robert Bartels. With property values down more than 7 percent from last year, the Nassau County Assessor’s Office estimates that the average home in Rockville Centre is worth $532,000, compared with last year’s average of $574,000. Bartels cautioned that residents with assessments that fell less than 7 percent could see a larger tax increase, as would residents with homes valued above the average. He suggested that homeowners visit www.mynassauproperty.com if they are unsure of their property’s assessment.

School officials expressed both relief and gratitude, and pointed to the key role that members of the district’s seven bargaining units played in the negotiations. Bartels said that the district once again offered retirement incentives and used some of its reserve funds to stay under the state cap.

“It’s remarkable that we have come up with a budget that preserves [the district’s] integrity for next year and it looks like several years to come,” said Superintendent Dr. William Johnson. He noted that children would have been adversely affected by cuts that were ultimately avoided, and praised the parties involved for “putting differences aside and making the decision that children in the community come first.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank the board and the bargaining units for their willingness to sit down … and solve what is exceedingly difficult and very important for the future of this school district and community,” Johnson added.

School board trustees, including President Liz Dion and Vice President Mark Masin — who are both running unopposed for new terms on the board — added their thanks. “I’ve never been prouder to be a part of this community,” said Dion.

Because it stays under the 2 percent tax levy cap, the budget needs only a simple majority to pass. If it is voted down twice, however, the district must adopt a contingency budget that has no tax-levy increase.

“Kudos to everyone, but it will all be for naught if we don’t pass the budget,” said Masin, who urged voters to support the plan.

The school and library board election and budget vote will be held on May 15, at South Side High School, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.