North Shore faces $7 million deficit

This proposed budget is the fodder for much deliberation, discussion and debate.”

Chris Zublionis, Superintendent, North Shore School District

The North Shore School District is facing a tough series of fiscal years ahead largely due to the continued impact of the 2022 deal with the Long Island Power Authority, causing the district to lose millions of dollars a year in revenue.

The district is also facing a loss of revenue from grants due to their expiration, such as a grant from former state senator Jim Gaughran. These losses, coupled with rising costs and contractual obligations, have created a budget deficit of over $7.5 million this year.

Chris Zublionis, district superintendent, and James Pappas, assistant superintendent for finance, explained the gravity of the situation and the different ways the district is trying to mitigate its effects in their Feb. 29 budget proposal. Before the presentation, Dr. Andrea Macari, president of the Board of Education, explained that despite the administration’s best efforts, this year and subsequent years will force the district to make tough financial choices.

“We are now at the precipice of a pivotal moment, where the long-standing investment in our schools and in our children meets fiscal pressures,” Macari said. “The real question is can we work together as a community to safeguard the vital elements of our education for generations of North Shore students to come?”

Zublionis emphasized that the district continues to be proactive in keeping the community informed throughout the process, and plans to hold multiple budget presentations and engage in community meetings to gather input and address concerns. He pointed out that while the presentation featured an initial proposal, there is plenty of work to be done before the May budget vote.

“This proposed budget is the fodder for much deliberation, discussion, and debate,” Zublionis said. “So when we’re making decisions about what to keep or what not to keep or what to make more efficient, we want to make sure that we don’t compromise existing programs and resources, while also meeting the needs of students.”

One of the major challenges facing the district is the significant loss of revenue, particularly from utilities, largely due to the deal with LIPA. Pappas and Zublionis added that while many districts in the region are facing financial struggles due to inflation and rising costs, none are dealing with the added challenge of revenue loss to this extent.

To address the deficit, the district has proposed a series of measures aimed at both increasing revenue and reducing costs. On the revenue side, the district anticipates a net increase in state aid and additional revenue from tuition and interest, including a roughly $400,000 increase in state aid in the New York State budget. However, these increases are not sufficient to offset the loss of revenue from utilities.

“We’ve had to find both increases in revenue and reductions in costs,” explained Zublionis. “While we believe that this budget preserves the North Shore experience for students, the students are going to start to see (the impact).”

The district has identified areas for cost reduction, including non-instructional cuts and adjustments to retirement and benefits payments. These measures, while necessary, may impact certain aspects of the student experience, such as class sizes and program offerings.

One notable aspect of the proposed budget is the district’s commitment to maintaining existing programs and resources while meeting the needs of all students, including English language learners and special education students. Zublionis added that the district aims to continue strengthening academic support and providing opportunities for student enrichment, such as outdoor learning and field experiences.

Despite the challenges, the district remains focused on its core values and the shared outcomes outlined in the North Shore journey plan.

“Our goal is to create the best possible experience for students while balancing revenue loss, rising costs and the impact on taxpayers,” Zublionis reiterated, “while also meeting the high expectations of families and students attending our schools.”