Budget Vote and Trustee Election
on Tuesday
Huntington School District voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, May 21 to cast ballots on the proposed school budget for 2013/14 and two capital reserve fund propositions and to elect two members to the board of education. Voting will be held at Huntington High School from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The proposed budget totals $114,707,235, an increase of 2.55 percent over the current year's spending plan. Much of the increase is the result of higher retirement system assessments imposed by New York State and hikes in health insurance premiums.
"The budget development process remained challenging, as we were required to navigate through the second year of the tax levy cap and address rising non-discretionary costs in the form of pension and health insurance contributions," Superintendent James W. Polansky said. "Fortunately a July 2012 bond pay-off helped mitigate some of those costs. Conservative fiscal management, long term capital planning and reserve funding have also helped to maintain the district's relatively favorable financial position for 2013/14. Unfortunately, the budgetary challenges are likely to remain for several years to come. Regardless, we will remain focused on providing for our students and community in a fiscally responsible manner."
The proposed budget on next Tuesday's ballot provides for the continuation of a complete slate of Regents, honors and Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive art, music and physical education programs, including marching band, orchestra, chorus, band, music ensembles and specialized art courses and interscholastic athletics for grades 7-12.
The SEARCH and Math Olympiad programs will continue for academically talented fifth and sixth graders. An extensive program of special education classes and services will also continue, as will academic intervention services for students needing assistance to meet state standards.
Monies are contained in the budget to purchase 409 desktop computers, 55 printers and 33 SMART Boards. The budget also keeps the current bus transportation program in place. The high school's science research program is fully funded.
The proposed budget contains monies for the high school college counseling center and extra-curricular activities at Woodhull Intermediate School, J. Taylor Finley Middle School and Huntington High School, including drama club productions, student councils and student newspapers. Intramural programs are provided for students in grades 4-8.
The budget includes $373,161 for new textbooks, $153,078 for new workbooks, $37,168 for new library books, $90,000 for computer software and $523,521 for instructional equipment, including new computers.
Trustees allocated $2,180,953 in reserves to help mitigate the estimated tax rate increase, which is pegged at 3.52 percent, but which could be considerably lower if tentative assessed property values stay at or near the current level.
If residents approve the budget, taxes on the average home assessed at $3,650 would increase $273.75 before STAR program savings are factored in. The tax rate would rise from $212.99 per $100 of assessed valuation to an estimated $220.49. Trustees will set the tax levy in the fall when final property assessment figures will be available. Should the total assessments be higher than budgeted, the tax rate will be lower than currently estimated.
Capital Reserve Propositions
Residents will also have an opportunity to vote on a Building Improvement Fund/Capital Reserve Fund proposition that includes $1,715,500 million worth of projects. The district currently has $5,016,277 available for such work. The monies can only be used for renovation and reconstruction projects as authorized by voters.
The proposed projects include renovation of the boys' and girls' locker rooms at J. Taylor Finley Middle School, renovation of the girls' locker room, library roof replacement and masonry wall repair and kitchen and basement hallway electrical upgrades at Huntington High School, replacement of the original in-ground oil tank at Jack Abrams School, replacement of the clock system and stage wiring at Jefferson Primary School and replacement of the original public address system and purchase of the modular classroom complex at Woodhull Intermediate School.
Since the funds for the proposed projects already exist in the capital reserve account, the district will not have to borrow any money, pay interest or raise taxes if the proposition passes. The district will also be eligible for state aid on a percentage of the expenditures associated with the projects.
A second capital proposition seeks authorization to create a new Capital Reserve Fund, which would also be known as the Building Improvement Fund. Residents are being asked to establish the new fund since the one established in 2008 will soon reach its funding limit of $10 million and effectively expire. If voters approve the establishment of the new fund, it would allow for the annual transfer of surplus monies, if any, from the district's General Fund into the capital account. Passage of the proposition will not increase taxes.
Specifically, the district would be able to transfer up to $2 million in any given year as may be available at the end of each fiscal year from June 30, 2013 through June 30, 2021. Monies the district manages to save during the course of the year, which weren't needed for regular school operations, could be transferred into the new fund. The amount transferred could vary depending on potential surpluses, if any.
If the district spends less money in any year, Huntington School Board members could move a portion of the funds into the Building Improvement Fund for renovation and repair projects. However, residents would still have to approve any expenditure of the funds.
Monies in the Building Improvement Fund can only be used for capital projects, including new school roofs, windows, doors, boilers, facility improvements, etc. Completed projects would be eligible for state aid. The district would be allowed to transfer up to a total of $10 million into the fund over the life of its authorization.
Trustee Election
Residents will also have an opportunity to elect two members to the Board of Education for three-year terms commencing on July 1, 2013 and running through June 30, 2016.
Candidates include Deniqua Crichlow, William P. Dwyer, Bari Fehrs and Jennifer Mosden. Incumbents Richard McGrath and John P. Paci III have decided not to run for re-election.
Eligibility to Vote
To be eligible to vote in the election, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, a resident of Huntington School District for at least 30 days and be registered to vote in a general election or with the school district. For more information contact District Clerk Elizabeth Troffa at 673-2126 or etroffa@hufsd.edu.
A copy of the line-by-line proposed budget is available by visiting the Huntington School District's website at www.hufsd.edu. An eight page brochure containing information about the budget and capital propositions and profiles of the four Huntington School Board candidates has been mailed to all addresses in the district. The publication is also available on the district website.