Budget Recap from April 14 BOE Meeting:
Board Moves Closer to Adopting Budget
April 16, 2020 -- At Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, the administration and Board continued their discussion of the 2020-2021 Superintendent's Recommended Budget. The Recommended Budget was revised from March 31st to incorporate the most recent State aid figures. The current Recommended Budget reflects a tax levy increase of 1.76% and is below the District's allowable tax levy cap of 1.86%.
During their presentation, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations Sylvia Wallach and Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps also discussed the uncertainty of projections for State aid, sales tax and interest income. To address the impact of these potential losses in revenue, Ms. Wallach presented possible budget scenarios reflecting both a 10% and 20% reduction to revenue. Adding to the unpredictability of revenue projections, the NYS budget includes a provision allowing the State Budget Director to make mid-year adjustments in State aid to schools at several points throughout the year in the event of decreased revenues or increased expenditures at the State level.
Dr. Shaps reiterated that any additional cuts to the budget, beyond what was proposed on Tuesday, will impact current programs. As an example, he outlined program costs for non-mandated programs that could be reduced in the event the Board and community sought further budgetary reductions. "I recommend maintaining funding at current levels to stay consistent with the District's multi-year plan for continuing to invest in high-quality teaching and learning and a breadth of programs for students," Dr. Shaps stated. He went on to say that the $1.1 million in total reductions identified since the March 3rd Superintendent's Recommended Budget presentation will not impact the overall classroom experience. "We recognized the need to stay under the cap and be mindful of the impact on taxpayers, while maintaining and investing in programs that meet the expectations of the community," Dr. Shaps said.
The Board will continue to discuss the budget at its next meeting on Tuesday, April 21. The annual budget election for all districts throughout New York has been delayed by the Governor's Executive Order to June 1 or beyond. For all budget-related information and presentations, visit the Mamaroneck School District website.
|
© 2016 School Name