Preliminary Budget Figures Are Out
by Doug La Rocque
According to Berlin Central School Superintendent Dr. Stephen Young, the budget proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo would increase the amount of state aid the District would receive by only $39,615, far short of what the District was looking for. That number will change however, as the Governor and legislative leaders debate the budget. In the past, the final state aid figure is always higher, generally around $100,000. That will come in handy, as the preliminary school budget calls for a $345,661 increase in the tax levy, or 3.61%.
At the Tuesday, February 25 School Board meeting, The Superintendent outlined the academic portion of the budget, which represents $209,800 of that increase.
There are three new key components to this budget:
• Exceptional Education, adding a Special Education teaching assistance and a summer program.
• Elementary School: A new K-5 Literacy/Reading Program (the current program has not been updated in 9 years and is no longer supported by the publisher), summer curriculum training and stipends for an Art Club and Character Education Leader.
• MS/HS: New Vice Principal/Athletic Director, Grade 10 and 11&12 Team Leaders and musical instrument replacements. The Vice Principal/Athletic Director position would be paid for by the retirement of a full time educator. The current Athletic Director, Josh Weaver has requested to return to a full time educator’s position.
The final state aid figures won’t be known until the state budget is finalized. That is due by April 1. After that, the Superintendent and the Board are hopeful they will be able to trim the tax levy back a bit.
Home School Sports
Laura Bassallo made an impassioned plea at the January School Board meeting to allow home schooled children to participate on the school’s athletic teams, strongly pointing out they are just as much a part of the community as those who attend public schools. She indicated there was legislation that cleared all necessary state legislative committees that would leave the decision of participation up to the individual school districts. She also indicated it seemed to have bi-partisan support, and she was hopeful for its passage, sometime this year. At that time, the Board said they were willing to consider it, but wanted another month to research the issue.
At the February meeting, Board President Frank Zwack brought forth a resolution that said, if approved by the state legislature and signed into law by the governor, the board would indeed be willing to consider such home school participation. It passed without dissent.
Other Business
Board President Zwack mentioned at the January meeting, he was planning to spend some time in both educational buildings, simply to get “a feel” for the culture that exists, with administration, staff and students. At the February meeting, he announced he had completed these visits and was very pleased with what he found.
The Capital Project is proceeding according to schedule, and the board expressed its gratitude to the contractors, school staff and students for what they labeled a very clean and seamless effort.