State aid up, but still down for Valley Stream schools

Local school districts will get some extra money than initially anticipated in the New York State budget recently passed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature.

Valley Stream’s four school districts will still receive less school aid next year than this year, however, the cuts won’t be as drastic as first proposed in Cuomo’s executive budget. District officials are making decisions about how to use the extra cash, which was given to the districts after all four Boards of Education adopted proposed 2011-12 spending plans.

District 30 will be using its extra money to keep a psychologist. Board members had decided to cut three psychologist positions down to two for next year. However, at a special meeting on April 5, the board agreed that it would use the money so each school could still have its own psychologist.

The board had to amend its proposed 2011-12 budget to reflect the change, which is now $70,000 higher than what was initially adopted. On May 17, voters will have their say on a proposed $32.4 million spending, a 3.23 percent increase over this year.

Because the district is estimating a total of $88,000 more in aid, the additional $18,000 will be used to offset the tax levy increase, which now stands at 6.11 percent. The impact on the average homeowner is still being determined, but had stood at $90 before the additional aid came in.

A social worker position is still being cut from the budget. The district will only have one next year, instead of two. Additionally, the Washington Avenue Kindergarten Center will also close, with those classes moving to Shaw Avenue school.

District 24 is using it’s additional $63,000 in state aid to lessen the tax increase. The tax levy increase on the proposed $27.2 million budget is less than 1 percent. Assistant Superintendent for Business Dan Onorato said that should translate into a $10 to $15 increase in taxes for the average homeowner.

Despite the additional state support, the $4.5 million the district is set to receive will still be about $340,000 less than this year.

District 13 will be getting $8.5 million in state aid next year. That is $350,000 less than this year, but about $200,000 more than Cuomo’s proposed budget. “It’s not as drastic as it was,” Assistant Superintendent for Business Meredith Brosnan said about the cut.

Brosnan said that when basic foundation aid was created for school districts several years ago, it was supposed to increase every year. However, the state instead has been keeping it steady, or ever reducing aid, she noted, making it hard for districts to keep up with cost increases.

District 13 has a proposed $42.5 million budget for next year, carrying a tax levy increase of 2.82 percent. The Board of Education has yet to meet to determine what to do with the extra state aid. Brosnan said they could change the budget, use it to offset taxes or save the money for the following year.

The Central High School District will receive about $15.5 million in state aid next year, according to Wayne Loper, assistant superintendent for business. It received $191,000 more than the governor’s proposed budget, however Loper said some impending changes to transportation aid and new special education fees could reduce that amount.

Even with the additional aid, the high school district will received about $870,000 less from the state for next year. The Board of Education has not yet decided how it will use the extra funds. “In a $102 million budget, it’s not much,” Superintendent Dr. Richard Marsh said.