Much at Stake in Tuesday's School Budget Vote

The Glen Cove School District's annual budget vote is here and Patch decided to provide its readers with one last look at what's at stake. 

Under the district's proposed $70.3 million spending plan, the average homeowner in the city will see a $212.75 hike in school taxes next year. The proposed spending plan is an estimated $1 million, or 1.55 percent, increase in expenditures over the current year. 

The tax levy, the amount of money taxpayers will have to collectively pitch in to meet the budget number, is set at $59 million, a $2.1 million, or 3.70 percent, increase from the current budget. 

Since February, the district's administration has held budget presentations, contending that the loss of state aid and rising costs in state mandates, among other things, forced administrators to make severe cuts in the budget to keep the tax levy below 4 percent. 

The budget calls for the elimination of 10 teaching positions, one teaching assistant and three administrator/supervisors, among other cuts, as a way to save $2.78 million next year. 

However, along with the continuation of most programs and services, the plan also allots funding to establish a honors program in the sixth grade as well as about $300,000 for capital improvements.

The district was also able to lower the after its administration union agreed to a salary increase freeze next year.  

Contingency Budget

If the budget is defeated on Tuesday and again in June, school officials explained, the district will be forced to move forward with a $69.4 million contingency budget. The figure is an increase of a little more than $124,000, or 0.18 percent, from the current year. 

Under this spending plan, the average homeowner in the city will pay $117.13 more in school taxes next year. The budget's tax levy is $58.1 million, about $1.1 million — or 2.04 percent — more than this year's budget. 

This spending plan, however, will force the administration to make more staffing and recreational cuts next year. Superintendent Dr. Laurence Aronstein said he would recommend that the district eliminate, among other things, 18 additional teachers, all non-varsity sports and field trips to meet the budget total. 

The difference between the tax increase in the district's proposed budget and contingency budget is $95.62. 

The choice is yours Glen Cove. 

Patch encourages all voters to let their voice be heard by voting on Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Don't forget to visit Patch after the polls close for your election results.