The Rewards of Good Planning

Dan Brenner

When voters go to the polls to decide on the 2014-15 school budget on May 20, they may not realize that they are voting on a budget that has been several years in the making. The budget-to-budget increase is 0.65 percent, and the increase in the tax levy will be 0.64 percent. These are among the very lowest increases in Nassau County, not only for next year, but over the last five years, as well. 

This has not happened by chance. The Board of Education has carefully followed a forward-looking, multi-year plan to keep the district’s finances strong and budget increases modest and steady. This plan has entailed the establishment of reserve funds, conservative year-to-year budget management, and fair but firm negotiations with our employees. As a result, Roslyn is one of the very few districts in the region that has not had to eliminate any educational programs or lay off any employees for budgetary reasons. 

In fact, our educational program has been growing even as others are shrinking. We continue to focus on enhancements in literacy, math and language instruction, and are finding ever-more creative uses for technology in the classroom. This year, we became the first high school on Long Island to put an iPad into the hands of every high school student, and we are poised to expand this initiative into the elementary grades next year. We are also set to introduce a new engineering curriculum on the secondary level. Professional development is ongoing to support all of our educational initiatives, and our class size guidelines remain unchanged in order to ensure continued delivery of quality instruction.

Like all school districts in the state, Roslyn faces the continued challenge of higher costs for employee benefits like health insurance and retirement. However, anticipating these costs and budgeting cautiously over several years has put us in a strong position, not only to weather the economic storms we have faced, but to keep the budget relatively stable year by year. On average, our tax levy has increased about 1.3 percent annually over the last five years — lower than inflation, and well below the state-mandated limit on the tax levy. 

As these budgetary pressures hopefully will ease in the next few years, our district should remain able to continue on an upward trajectory of fiscal stability and educational innovation. 

All of these factors have been taken into consideration in the development of the bond referendum, which is also on the ballot on May 20. This sweeping proposal, which encompasses new construction, renovations and infrastructure upgrades throughout the district, has been developed so that we can do the maximum amount of work with the minimal impact on taxpayers. The refinancing and retirement of old debt, building up of reserve funds, state aid reimbursements and low interest rates all combine to significantly reduce the tax burden. As a result, we are planning $41.3 million in capital improvements at a conservative estimate of $60 per year or less for the average taxpayer. 

The relationship between the budget and the bond is not accidental. I hope that the modest budget increases and instructional progress of recent years have demonstrated to the community that the Board of Education and Central Administration have been responsible stewards of the district’s resources. The bond proposal is an outgrowth of our confidence in the district’s financial health, as well as our optimistic outlook for the years to come.

The budget vote, bond referendum and board election will take place on Tuesday, May 20 at Roslyn High School. The budget for the Bryant Library will also be on the ballot. Polls will be open from 7am to 9pm. Please remember to vote. 

There is much more information about the bond and budget on the district’s website, www.roslynschools.org. If you’re not sure if you’re registered to vote, please contact the District Clerk at 801-5002. 

 

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