Herricks talks budget revenue, new principals

Janelle Clausen
Lisa Rutkoske explains the revenue sources for the Herricks school budget proposal. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)
Lisa Rutkoske explains the revenue sources for the Herricks school budget proposal. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)

Herricks school officials spoke about the sources of revenue for its proposed 2018-19 budget on Thursday night, underlining the 2.55 percent tax levy increase and expectations for a ‘nominal’ state aid boost.

Most of the proposed $114.16 million budget would come from the property tax levy, officials said, which would increase by $2.39 million from $94.09 million to $96.49 million.

This is 85 percent of the proposed budget, which would increase the school budget by 2.65 percent – or $.2.94 million – if passed.

“To fund those expenditures, the predominant source of our revenue is what we, the district, ask the community to support, which is the tax levy,” Lisa Rutkoske, the assistant superintendent for business, said on Thursday. “And then the other piece which is a main driver is our state aid.”

The state aid, totaling $11.94 million, could be worth about 10 percent of the district’s revenues based on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s state aid proposal, Rutkoske said, with “foundation aid” only getting a $17,134 boost.

This translates to a “nominal” increase, Rutkoske said.

“We really are hopeful that our legislators will continue to advocate for us as a district,” Rutkoske said.

Revenue projections also included a $2.13 million payment in lieu of taxes – or PILOT – from the Long Island Power Authority, $2.28 million in expected from fees, investments and programs, and $1.3 million worth of fund balance and reserves.

The next budget presentation will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, at the Herricks Community Center.

Loren Borgese and Diana DeGiorgio, pictured with Center Street Principal Brennen Bierwiler, will be leading Herricks School District's trio of elementary schools. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)
Loren Borgese and Diana DeGiorgio, pictured with Center Street Principal Brennen Bierwiler, will be leading Herricks School District’s trio of elementary schools. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)

In unrelated school board business, trustees approved the appointments of Loren Borgese and Diana DeGiorgio to serve as the new principals of Denton Avenue School and Searingtown Schools, respectively, starting July 1.

Loren Borgese brings with her experience from P.S. 115, a New York City school where she was principal since August 2013.

Diana DeGiorgio, meanwhile, has served as the director for elementary special education for the Oceanside School District.

“They are two outstanding educators,” Superintendent of Schools Fino Celano told meeting attendees. “I know both Ms. Borgese, Ms. DeGiorgio impressed our entire committee, our search committee, with their knowledge, with their enthusiasm and their experience.”

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