GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUMMARY: PROPOSED BUDGET March 23, 2011

Transcription

1 GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUMMARY: PROPOSED BUDGET March 23, 2011

2 Tonight s presentation is a summary of the contents of the Superintendent s budget proposals for The proposals offered are recommendations to the Board of Education from the administration. The board will adopt a budget for presentation to the voters on April 13 th. 2

3 Tonight s Agenda Budget and tax levy numbers The budget climate Initiatives supported by the budget Staffing recommendations for Garden City Public Schools profile: Return on the community s investment Contingent ( austerity ) budget and other FAQs Q & A 3

4 GARDEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Mission Statement The Garden City School District seeks to create an environment for learning which enables each student the opportunity to grow as an individual as well as a group member while striving to achieve the optimal level of academic, social and personal success. Students will thrive in a learning environment that is developmentally appropriate, individualized and challenging. Our goal and responsibility is to help each student develop an enthusiasm for learning, a respect for self and others, and the skills to become a creative independent thinker and problem solver. 4

5 Proposed overall budget: $101,117,058 Budget to budget increase: $3,128,568 or 3.19% Projected tax levy increase (with STAR): 2.71%

6 Proposed Budget Administrative $11,381,855 Program $75,214,842 Capital $14,520,361 TOTAL $101,117,058 6

7 Proposed Budget Expenditures 14.36% 11.26% 74.38% Administrative Program Capital 7

8 This Year s Budget Climate: A Series of Unprecedented Challenges 9

9 The Bad News in Revenues Property taxes from individual homeowners remain the major source of revenue for the budget ARRA (federal stimulus funds) will no longer be available These were used by New York State to offset its own cuts in education aid and provided supplementary revenue for the school district State aid to Garden City Public Schools is projected to be cut by 13.61% (greater than last year s proposed decrease) Special education aid may be cut 10

10 The Bad News Regarding Expenditures Pension cost hikes---by law, the school district must contribute to NYS pension funds for all employees Increase from 8.62% to approximately 11.25% for teachers and administrators, and from 11.4% to 15.9% for all other employees Health care increases Garden City employees contribute more than almost all other districts to health care, but costs have increased in excess of 13% 11

11 The Bad News Regarding Expenditures Special education It is our responsibility to educate all children. Reimbursement levels from the federal and state governments have never approached promised rates. Newly imposed Nassau County water usage fee 12 The Governor s budget proposal contains no specific recommendations for mandate relief

12 % 0.36% 0.36% Pension Contributions (percent of payroll paid by district) 2.52% 5.63% % 7.97% 7.63% *Preliminary Estimate 8.60% 8.73% 8.62% to 12.00%* Source: New York State Teachers Retirement System 13

13 $20,000 $18,000 $16,000 $14,000 $12,000 $10,000 $8,000 $6,000 $4,000 $2,000 $0 Health Insurance Costs District health contributions offset by increases in employee contributions negotiated in latest contracts. Individual Family Growth from 2000 to 2011: Individual % Family % 14

14 Cost Control Efforts 15 Refinancing of bonds Initiated review that led to upgrade of district credit rating Generous support from PTA, SEPTA, Friends of Music, TMA and other community organizations Seek and obtain grants ipods & ipads, field trips, athletic field renovations, supplementary classroom materials, staff development Hold supply budgets constant for 3 years Reduce/eliminate low enrollment courses Develop district-based special education programs instead of sending students to out-of-district placements

15 Cost Control Efforts 16 Reduce/consolidate positions Green initiatives Inclusion in Village bids for supplies/materials Implement strategic plans for facilities to take advantage of economies of scale and practice preventive maintenance Recycle technology hardware within the district Join consortia Transportation, purchasing, insurance, supplies, etc. New labor agreements include freezes or increases in health insurance contributions Retirement incentives Implement effective controls for overtime and mailings Reduce advertising, conferences, and postage

16 Controlling District Personnel Costs Total District FTEs

17 Expenditure Reductions to % -5.00% % % % % % % Overtime Equipment Travel/Conference Advertising Legal Supplies Postage % 18

18 This Year s Budget Climate: A Series of Unprecedented Challenges 19

19 X Rollover Budget Simply rolling over the current budget to the coming school year, with no reduction in programs, services or staffing, would result in a budget-tobudget increase of 5.2% and a tax increase 4.9%. 20

20 To reduce the budget and tax levy increases to prudent levels, over $1.9 million dollars in reductions are needed, requiring very difficult choices 21

21 22 Initiatives for Supported by Budget Proposals Continuation of curriculum reviews including initiation of new content area assessment Alignment of curriculum with NYS adoption of national Common Core Standards Preparation for new standardized tests aligned with Common Core Standards Design and implementation of newly mandated system for teacher and principal evaluation Extension of Response to Intervention (RtI) program to identify students at-risk at earliest possible time Strengthening of district writing and research efforts Development of mock college interview program for juniors and seniors with college representatives; continued automation of college application process

22 Initiatives for Supported by Budget Proposals Review and strengthen vocational programs for students with disabilities Continue Universal Design for Learning (UDL) project Continue piloting ipads/slates in classrooms Complete installation of Smartboards in elementary and primary schools Establish wireless hotspots in all schools Begin implementation phase of Virtual Desktops Upgrade district-wide phone system and Internet bandwidth to achieve cost savings and improve functionality Purchase three full-size school buses 23

23 Initiatives for Supported by Budget Proposals Capital items ($600,000) District-wide Provide improved eyewash stations at all schools Continue flooring replacement Continue sidewalk replacement High School Conversion of remaining (non-epc) boiler to gas service Steel pre-fab building to replace storage containers Dimmer board replacement for auditorium 24

24 Initiatives for Supported by Budget Proposals Middle School Repair/replace slate flashings Stewart Replace playground Partial replacement of window balances Repair plumbing vents and cap roof vents Stratford Re-point masonry at front steps Hemlock Replace root-impacted ejector pump from boiler room 25

25 Initiatives for Supported by Budget Proposals Homestead Repair ductwork at main office Locust Repair/re-point chimney Administration building Masonry repairs around building exterior Paint/repair wood cornices of building at roof level Replace water isolation valves Bus Garage Install additional pole lighting for safety Replace diesel pump and install fuel monitoring system 26

26 Staffing Changes Recommended for Proposed Teacher Reductions (FTEs) Rationale Locust: 1.0 grade 1,.3 developmental skills Enrollment decrease Hemlock: 1.0 grade 1 Enrollment decrease Homestead: 1.0 kindergarten, 1.0 grade 1 Enrollment decrease Stewart:.2 instrumental music,.5 reading More efficient scheduling Stratford: 3.0 grades 2 and 5 Enrollment decrease 1.0 grade 4 Class size guideline increased by 1 student 27 Middle School: 1.0 grade 6 Enrollment decrease.4 librarian Will teach.4 study skills.1 home and career skills Eliminate overage.2 music rotations More efficient scheduling

27 Staffing Changes Recommended for Proposed Teacher Reductions (cont.) Rationale High School:.1 art Eliminate overage.1 business Eliminate overage.5 music rotations More efficient scheduling.8 reading ARRA funding eliminated teacher.6 technology Low enrollment electives.5 special ed. (integrated support class) More efficient scheduling Total teacher reductions : 13.3 FTEs Most driven by enrollment declines and more efficient scheduling Proposed Administrative Reduction Grades 6-12 Special Education Coordinator 28 Proposed Teacher Aide Reductions Primary Schools: 1.0 library teacher aide Stewart School: 1.0 library/general ed. teacher aide Stratford School: 1.0 library/general ed. teacher aide

28 Staffing Changes Recommended for Proposed Staff Reductions Rationale 7 Assistant Coaches Supervision can be provided by other coaches 1 FTE Technology IT specialist Work can now be done from remote location 1 FTE AV Technician Responsibilities can be filled by other staff 1 FTE Cleaner/Attendant HS Responsibilities can be filled by other staff 1 FTE Cleaner Attendant MS Responsibilities can be filled by other staff.5 FTE Clerical Work load can be addressed by other staff 1 FTE Bus driver Increased efficiency in routing Reduced security guard hours Weekend security not required until later in the day 29

29 Garden City Public Schools: A Top School District (Newsday, July 2010) A long tradition of high achievement New York Times 10-year study ranked GC 6 th in NYS Excellent return on investment A history of sound fiscal management A commitment to continuous improvement 30

30 District Ratings Neigborhoodscout.com BETTER THAN NY SCHOOL DISTRICTS US SCHOOL DISTRICTS Syosset 99.4% 98.6% Jericho 99.2% 98.6% East Williston 98.5% 98.0% Great Neck 98.4% 98.0% Garden City 97.9% 97.6% Manhasset 97.5% 97.4% Rockville Centre 97.3% 97.3% Herricks 97.0% 97.2% Cold Spring Harbor 94.2% 95.0% Roslyn 94.0% 95.0% North Shore 93.0% 94.1% Port Washington 89.7% 91.4% Locust Valley 88.4% 90.6% 31

31 Garden City Public Schools: A Top School District Excellence in academic achievement 99% of students go on to higher education 91% of graduates attend 4 year colleges 97% of graduates receive Regents diplomas 83% received Advanced Regents or Advanced Regents with Honors distinctions 75% of Class of 2010 accepted to at least one of Princeton Review s Best Colleges 2 Merit Scholarship Finalists, 2 Semi-Finalists and 7 Commended Students Three National Hispanic Scholars Strong research programs: Intel finalist; 2 LISEF grand prize winners 32

32 Garden City Public Schools: A Top School District Every eligible school has been honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a School of Excellence Garden City has the only combination on Long Island of a fully accredited high school and middle school Strong programs in the arts: National Music Honor Ensemble honoree; many All-County participants 24 Advanced Placement opportunities; 186 AP Scholars, including 15 National AP Scholars Small, personalized primary schools featuring extensive focus on literacy Full range of special education services; NYS recognition for special education at middle level 33

33 Garden City Public Schools: A Top School District GCHS is five-time winner of Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction Award District s athletics program cited by Newsday as Best in Nassau FLES Instruction in Spanish begins in 2nd grade; program recognized as model for New York State Summer enrichment and academic support programs; Winter Program for Kids; After School Child Care Program Comprehensive character education programs begin in primary schools and extend through grade 12 Extensive community use of facilities 34

34 Garden City Public Schools: A Top School District (Newsday, July 2010) Relatively low cost per pupil for our region NYS ranks Garden City 7 th in wealth in Nassau County but 33 rd in per pupil spending in Nassau (Source: QUESTAR State Aid Planning) Low cost per pupil in comparison to similar schools Low tax rate in comparison to other Nassau County schools 35

35 Comparison of Per Pupil Costs Locust Valley $ 21,192 Great Neck $ 20,337 North Shore $ 20,114 East Williston $ 19,058 Syosset $ 18,431 Manhasset $ 18,368 Port Washington $ 18,111 Roslyn $ 17,935 Rockville Centre $ 17, Garden City $ 16,603 Herricks $ 15,857

36 Per Pupil Expense Source: 44 th Annual Study of School Costs ( , Nassau BOCES) 37 Jericho $31, 561 Locust Valley $30,287 North Shore $28,470 Great Neck $28,055 Oyster Bay $27,297 Roslyn $26,385 Manhasset $26, 130 Syosset $26, 112 East Williston $26,018 Port Washington $24,014 Herricks $22,679 Garden City $22,374

37 Nassau County Tax Rates CLASS I TAX RATES RANK SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASS I TAX RATE 45 Hicksville $ Uniondale $ Locust Valley $ Garden City $ Island Park $ Long Beach $ Lawrence $ Oyster Bay-East Norwich $ Great Neck $ Manhasset $

38 FAQs In your budget presentations, you have discussed how unfunded mandates from the state and federal governments drive up costs. Please provide some examples. 39

39 Unfunded Mandates: A Sampler Data reporting - Massive data reporting/analysis required for NYS and US gov ts Testing - Testing for grades 3-8 & NYSESLAT (for English Language Learners); scanning of Regents exams Special ed - Mandates in every aspect of operation, including administrative costs for CPSE and for providing services to nonresident students attending private schools in G.C. State reporting - BMI (body mass index), VADIR (school violence), Building Condition Survey Segregation of duties in Business Office Strong restrictions imposed by Comptroller New teacher mentoring - Stipends and training costs AEDs - Costs, training, upkeep Transportation - Reserving bus seats for eligible riders who opt not to use busing Auditing - Internal, claims and external auditor Actuarial analysis - Required for estimate of post-employment benefits Wicks Law - Requires multiple contractors for building projects Time off for blood donations & screenings - 3 or 4 hours off for employees, upon request 40

40 FAQs Why does the cost of public education fall so heavily on property owners? The district has historically received relatively little in federal and state aid. However, this year, even that amount is likely to be cut significantly. The district does not typically receive a great deal of grant funding from other sources due to its demographics and history of high achievement. Nevertheless, our staff secured a number of grants this year to add special events and additional materials to our program. 41

41 FAQs What percentage of district expenditures are mandated? Discretionary? 42

42 Discretionary vs. Mandated, Legal or Contractual Costs 43

43 FAQs Why are 13 teachers having their positions eliminated? Is it due to the recommendation to increase class size? Of the reductions put forth, almost 9 FTEs would result from enrollment declines Another position (.8 FTE) would be eliminated because the federal grant that provided its funding is ending 2 ½ positions would be reduced as a result of more efficient scheduling 44

44 FAQs I heard the district s administrative costs are higher than similar districts. Is this true? 45

45 FAQs Administrative Costs Administration Costs Per Pupil 46 Bronxville $1,067 Locust Valley $1,022 Cold Spring Harbor $895 Roslyn $886 Manhasset $740 East Williston $724 Rockville Centre $703 Jericho $682 North Shore $651 Garden City $499 Great Neck $482 Scarsdale $463 Syosset $428 Port Washington $416 Herricks $407 Source: Empire Center s seethroughny.net

46 FAQs What is the impact of the 2009 School Investment Bond on the budget? The budget would only contain $293,000 in interest payments. Funds for the projects in the bond are raised only through borrowing not through the budget. 47

47 FAQs Does the district have reserves? If so, does it use those reserves to reduce the budget impact on the taxpayer? Answer: Yes! 48

48 Use of Reserve Funds Proposed Budget Reserve Worker s Compensation Employee Retirement Undesignated Fund Balance Amount as of June 2011 Allocation to Budget Projected Balance June 2012 $ 1,909,352 $ 300,000 $ 1,609,352 $ 1,694,348 $792,422 $ 901,926 $ 3,892,748 $ 512,569 $ 3,380,179 49

49 FAQs What will happen if the district has to adopt a contingent ( austerity ) budget? If the budget vote fails, the Board of Education would be required to adopt a contingent budget. Contingent budgets must be designed according to strict standards of the State Education Department. The district would lose control over many of its budget and program decisions. The contingent budget cap for allowable budget-tobudget increases for is 1.92%. 50

50 Contingent ( Austerity ) Budget 51 A contingent budget would require Garden City to reduce costs by an additional $1.25 million. Areas that would be eliminated include all capital purchases (such as computer equipment and school buses), non-emergency capital projects for maintenance and improvement of the physical plant, summer enrichment and AIS, the Winter Program for Kids, continuing education, and after-school child care program. Additional cuts could be made in clubs, athletics, supplies and materials, music and drama, and field trips, among others

51 52