Glen Cove Schools Super Warns Of Tough Budget Decisions

Glen Cove Schools Superintendent Maria L. Rianna said the district is in financial straights and warned of tough decisions in the coming months at a preliminary 2014-15 budget forum on Jan. 8. 

The school district must look at every cost saving option, she said, in order to maintain and enhance school programs. 

"We're looking at everything from legal fees to classroom size to transportation to supplies to how we're buying software and services," said Rianna, who encouraged people to come forward with insight and suggestions. "We spent significantly more than we budgeted for last year. Significantly more..."

The district exceeded the 2013-2014 budget by over $2 million, said Rianna, "on almost everything." Unbudgeted expenditures included legal fees on union negotiations, special education, and the test coaching investigation as well as tax certiorari of over $1 million. 

Assistant Superintendent Victoria Galante said the money to pay the certs was taken out of an accrued liability account, not the reserve. 

Only $1 was budgeted in the 2013-2014 budget as a way to hold the line, a controversial decision at the time. At the Jan. 8 meeting, board members seemed to agree to factor tax certs in the coming year's budget which Gallante estimated to be at least $1.9 million.

The district is expecting increases in mandated expenses this year in health insurance (2 percent), TRS (17.25-17.75 percent), ERS (20.1 percent) and contractual obligations. 

Overall, the district is expecting a $2,988,131 increase in expenditures. With an estimated allowable tax levy increase of $1,084,784, that leaves them to find ways to cover the $1,903,347 difference. 

The full preliminary budget presentation from Jan. 8's forum is available on the Glen Cove School District website here. 

The next Board of Education Business Meeting will be held on Jan. 27 at Landing School, 7:30 p.m.