School Board Adopts Budget for 2011-2012; 2.9 Percent Tax Increase

The process was difficult and the and sometimes contentious, but after much deliberation and public input, the Nyack School Board has adopted a for the 2011-2012 scholastic year.

The Board unanimously approved the $71,316,000 fiscal plan Tuesday evening at Nyack Middle School. In total, this budget increased .8 percent from 2010-2011, which will result in a 2.9 percent tax increase for district residents.

Interim School Superintendent said factors like a struggling economy and reduction in New York State-based aid to local school districts made it virtually impossible for the administration to roll over last year’s operating costs into this year’s budget. Friedman said a rollover budget could have been financed only through a tax increase of more than eight percent.

From the beginning of the process, Friedman has maintained a school district’s goals in formulating a budget are to best meet the educational needs of its students while still respecting taxpayers ability to finance such aims. Believing most residents wouldn’t likely pass a budget with such a steep tax increase, administrators were forced to cut expenses.

Friedman added that, throughout the budgetary process, he and school board members carefully reviewed each and every item in the budget and tried to reduce expenditures wherever possible. Among items slashed were roughly 50 instructional positions at the district’s five schools, as well as a handful of educational secretary jobs.

This action brought about from the public who packed the middle school gymnasium at budget workshop meetings signing the praises of educators and imploring district officials to consider making cuts elsewhere.

The administration took public concerns to heart and was able to restore a number of instructional positions, thanks in part to $400,000 in federal grant money created to save teaching jobs.

School Board Vice President Michael Mark said the 2011-2012 budgetary process was the hardest one he has encountered during his tenure.

“We were forced to make some tough choices, but we do believe what we adopted is the best possible budget we could create given our circumstances now,” he said.

Board Trustee Don Hammond said this was a difficult task that brought about many compromises and hard judgments, but is confident the budget to be put before voters is the best they could come up with at this time.

“This budget is not ideal for everyone in the community,” said School Board President Michael Lagana. “However, we firmly believe it is the best we could do given our present circumstances.”

The next step in the process is a budgetary hearing May 4. The hearing is strictly for informational purposes as the adopted budget cannot be changed prior to the vote, which is scheduled for May 17. The budget is available for review at www.nyackschools.com.