Both Board of Education budget votes next Tuesday

HARLEM VALLEY— Public voting on both the Webutuck and Pine Plains school districts’ 2009-10 budget proposals will be held next Tuesday, May 19.

The two districts are finding themselves in situations similar to most schools as the budget votes approach: trying to keep the tax levy increase down in the face of decreased state aid, while simultaneously trying to preserve or enhance the educational programs the schools offer.

Assistance for both schools came in the form of the federal stimulus package, which helped balance out Gov. David Paterson’s cuts to state aid. State aid decreases to Webutuck totalled about $450,000; cuts to Pine Plains were in the range of $700,000. Those deficits have been offset by stimulus package funds, but that funding will only last for two years.

Low tax levy key for Webutuck

Webutuck is proposing a budget of $20.5 million, representing about a half of a percent tax levy increase from last year. District Superintendent Richard Johns reported that it was the third smallest tax levy increase in the district over the last 29 years.

“This budget, in my mind, is the best budget this board can present,†said Board of Education (BOE) President Dale Culver.

The board has expressed concern over the last few meetings about the possibility of the public voting down the board’s proposal, forcing the district to go to a contingency budget. There is worry that interpretations of new state regulations would require that the contingency budget be lower than the proposed budget, with budget lines like equipment purchases completely cut under the contingency plan. If so, the tax levy increase would end up below zero. If that occurred, the board is worried that the district’s state aid could be in jeopardy.

“Going to contingency won’t help the district next year, or even this year,†Culver said, explaining that a contingency budget would, by law, take away items the district needed, and add things the district didn’t.

The board has dealt with many issues not relating to the budget in recent months, and Webutuck school board meeting audience member Steve Packard supported the board’s efforts to stay focused on this year’s budget during the public hearing held on May 5.

“I’d like to commend the board,†he said. “Despite everything that’s been thrown at them, they’re still coming in on time with an excellent budget.â€

Dave MacMillan echoed those sentiments.

“You guys are doing a tremendous job,†he said.

A separate proposition presented to district voters on the ballot will ask for residents’ permission to donate the Amenia Elementary School building, which the board decided to close this year in the face of declining student population and the high cost associated with maintaining the building. The district would not actually donate, but rather “sell†the building for $1 to the town of Amenia, which would use the building as a new Town Hall.

The voting booths will be open from noon to 9 p.m. on May 19, in the Webutuck High School library. More information on the budget can be found by visiting webutuckschools.org or calling Business Administrator Linda Peters at 845-373-4100.

Pine Plains working to restore

and maintain current programs

Meanwhile, the Pine Plains Central School District is currently operating on a contingency budget, and its Board of Education is trying to make sure its next budget isn’t voted down. Under contingency, needed equipment purchases are not allowed, and as a result there are some high increases in the proposed budget’s equipment lines to compensate for the 2008-09 school year.

The Pine Plains Board of Education is proposing a $26.4 million budget, representing a tax levy increase of almost 6 percent. Approximately $600,000 was cut from various lines from last year’s budget.

One of the problems the district is facing is state aid funding, which district Superintendent Linda Kaumeyer pointed out is not keeping up with the rising costs of running the district.

“Without the stimulus package, state aid is essentially flat-lining,†she said.

A contingency budget has been prepared by the administration in case the budget is voted down; $19,000 less would be spent, saving each taxpayer about $1 per year.

During the public hearing held May 6, there was concern raised from audience member Ann Noone Croghan about the high administration salaries.

School Board President Helene McQuade pointed out that salaries need to be comparable to what other districts are paying their employees.

“The issue is competing amongst other districts for employees that have those specific skills,†she said. “We have excellent, quality people here that aren’t being paid top salaries.â€

BOE Vice President Bruce Kimball agreed. As a result of teacher training, he said, Pine Plains is currently ranked one of the best in Dutchess, Ulster and Columbia counties. “I am so proud of our school district,†he stressed.

Pine Plains district residents will be asked to vote on the budget on May 19, as well as two additional propositions.

The first is to allow the district to spend $3.8 million for masonry repairs on the Seymour Smith Elementary building. After estimated state aid and other funding, the local share is figured at $1.9 million, including borrowing costs. That cost would be spread out over a 16-year period.

The second proposition is to purchase five new buses for the district. Under a contingency budget, the school wasn’t able to purchase vehicles this year. To prevent the same issue from occurring again in the event that the budget is voted down, the board decided to make the bus purchase a separate proposition on the ballot. Three 72-passenger buses and two 22-passenger buses are proposed, at a total cost of about $400,000. After state aid and including borrowing costs, the local share is about $340,000, spread out over a five-year period.

The voting booths will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 19. Anyone with questions about the Pine Plains budget can send an e-mail to budget@ppcsd.org, call the school at 518-398-7181, ext. 410, or log on to the district’s Web site, pineplainsschools.org, where extensive information about the budget can be found.