School Board Preps Budget Discussion

The 2012-2013 preliminary budget draft was an item of discussion at the Glen Cove Board of Education meeting at Monday.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Laria announced that the board will have to find up to $1.5 million in cuts to comply with New York State , a 2 percent limit on tax levy increases by municipal governments and public school districts.

Should the levy increase over 2 percent, the budget would require a 60 percent approval by the voters of the city.

Meanwhile, the spending cuts are required as a result of increased pension and healthcare costs, as mandated by New York State.

The board will hold a series of meetings on the budget throughout the process, which will culminate on Apr. 18, when a budget is adopted.

"As much as we want to add new programs, this isn't a good year to fool around with the tax cap, because we're unsure of what we'll see next year" said Laria, addressing Board Trustee Joel Sunshine's concern for programs at the . "We may be able to find money, but we also might find difficulty with funding and have to roll them back. That's why I think we should stay at the tax cap, and we can do that without any impairment on staffing and instruction."

Residents at the meeting were concerned about the loss of programs, unfunded state mandates and continued school tax increases on city residents.

"We're between a rock and hard place," said Kathleen Lappano. "It bothers me that programs are being taken away from the kids, yet the union won't comply and won't share in the sacrifice. Everybody is too rich, and the taxpayer is not. I'm afraid that if this continues, we'll see our middle class in Glen Cove leave."

Resident Dan Cox questioned the district's stance on challenging unfunded state mandates:

"I understand we're in a legal system which we simply can't win," he said. "But...as long as we just sit back and take this, these unfunded mandates and contracts will continue. I'm going to be forced to leave Glen Cove and, unfortunately, so will my children. There has to be a challenge."

Sunshine attributed unfunded mandates, which total over 250, and include bussing, teacher union contracts and pensions to the state legislature.

"Almost all of our unfunded mandates come because Albany just won't say no to the state teachers' union," he said. "Our pension costs are through the roof, our health costs are through the roof, and the Triborough Amendment has cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Laria said the district would continue to work with other districts and legislators in the State Assembly and Senate for mandate relief.

The discussion will continue on Monday, Feb. 13, when the school board will hold a Public Budget Presentation Workshop.