Support Valley Stream's school budgets on May 17

We wish we could be spreading good news this year, that the proposed school budgets will enhance educational services and offer students new and innovative programs. But with the state in the throes of a recession, it’s just not one of the years when school districts could just spend what they want.

Districts face many outside pressures. State aid is being reduced, meaning that even if districts want to maintain the status quo, school officials must turn to the taxpayers for more money. And this extra money is needed to cover the large pension increases, mandated by the state, and rising costs for employee health insurance and fuel oil — pressures that companies in the private sector know just as well.

When it came time for school officials to prepare their 2011-12 budgets, which will go before voters on Tuesday, there simply was no wiggle room.

Staying the course in District 13

Even with the elimination of the equivalent of 11 full-time positions, the average homeowner in District 13 will have to pay $79 more in elementary school taxes next year.

But it could have been worse. The district was hit with a state aid cut of nearly a half-million dollars, while pension costs are climbing more than $1 million. School officials prudently took more than $2 million from surplus funds to avoid a major tax spike next year, while keeping enough money around for a rainy day.

The proposed budget maintains programs in the district, including some of its marquee offerings like music and art. These are areas where students continue to shine every year. The district will continue to offer its popular summer recreation program, which is funded through fees from participants and costs taxpayers nothing. There is also money set aside to maintain buildings and to address major facilities projects coming down the road.

Cuts to teaching and aide positions are based on changes in enrollment and service needs, district officials say. Given the financial pressures District 13 is facing, we believe the Board of Education and administrators did the best job they could to put together a budget that achieves the mission of the school district — to provide students with a well-rounded education. We urge voters to approve it.

Minimal tax hike in District 24

District 24 has made a habit the last few years of offering budget proposals with little or no tax increase, or even smaller tax levies. School district leaders followed suit again this year, with a budget expected to increase taxes about $10 to $15 per year for the average homeowner.

No, students won’t be getting more for the extra money. But they won’t be getting less, either, which is an accomplishment in the current financial climate. The Board of Education and administrators put together a spending plan that maintains programs, services and class sizes.

A few years back, the district was criticized by a state comptroller’s audit for having too much money in its reserve fund. Unfortunately, the district was out of compliance with state regulations, but that extra money turned out to be a blessing when tough times hit. Perhaps our local school officials do know more about planning for the future than the state government.

It’s encouraging that District 24 officials have used the extra money to avoid high tax increases for its residents rather than continuing to let it sit in the bank. There’s no argument that the proposed 2011-12 budget is a good one for both students and taxpayers in District 24. Vote “yes” on this budget.

A challenge in District 30

It’s no secret that at 6.11 percent, District 30 has one of the highest proposed tax levy increases in Nassau County. Still, we believe the budget was carefully constructed and that the Board of Education listened to the community in developing its 2011-12 spending plan.

The board and administrators held a community forum in January, to learn what the priorities of the community were as they began preparing next year’s budget. Essentially, community members said they wanted to maintain programs, but they wanted those programs to cost less.

District 30 officials did that. Unfortunately, the budget still rises when pension and health insurance costs are factored in. One program reduction includes closing the Washington Avenue Kindergarten Center and moving those classes to empty space at the Shaw Avenue School. It will be unfortunate to see this building close, especially after it was renovated just eight years ago. However, the district will keep full-day kindergarten.

The district cannot repeat a 6 percent tax increase, however. We urge district officials to find efficiencies throughout the coming year and end 2011-12 with a decent surplus that can help offset taxes in the following year’s budget. Homeowners are burdened enough. We also hope district officials will vigilantly pursue a tenant for the Washington Avenue building that can bring in some additional revenue. To let that building sit vacant would be a waste and a shame.

Overall, the proposed budget maintains programs and ensures that students are getting an education beyond the basics. We recognize that the tax impact is higher than normal this year, but we’d hate to see deep cuts to educational programs. So vote in favor of the District 30 budget.

High school budget well planned

The high school district Board of Education and administration have come in with one of the lowest spending increases in Nassau County, at 1.29 percent. The tax levy is going up 1.96 percent, the district’s lowest in at least 10 years. We like the fact that both increases are less than 2 percent. This shows strong financial leadership by district officials.

It’s unfortunate that the district will no longer be able to offer its auto repair and construction programs in-house, but students will be able to take these programs through BOCES. This is the type of cooperative service that school districts are encouraged to take part in. Additionally, the high school district will now receive BOCES aid for students who take part in the program, increasing revenue while still being able to offers these valuable career-building opportunities.

With about 4,700 students, the Valley Stream Central High School District easily could have been one of those districts cutting dozens of teaching positions, a scenario that is unfortunately the norm in many mid sized to large districts on Long Island. Instead, it’s cutting one and a half teaching positions, plus about 10 support positions.

This budget was well planned, and continues to give students the opportunities they need to be prepared for college or the work force. We urge you to vote “yes,” as well as the two capital reserve propositions, to ensure safe, modern schools for Valley Stream’s secondary students.