ISLAND TREES SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET EDITION. Balancing the Budget and Funding the Future

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1 ISLAND TREES SCHOOL DISTRICT Excellence and Success for All Students Excellence and Success for All Students Dear Island Trees School Community: BUDGET EDITION Balancing the Budget and Funding the Future In the Island Trees Union Free School District, we are excited to be part of the planning and implementation phases of our $50.7 million capital projects and public library initiative. With many of the referendum s projects moving from the planning to construction stage, our business office is faced with the reality of budgeting for the capital work. With this in mind, we understand there is a need to balance our school district budget while funding the new expenses related to our capital projects. We have married the school district s mission - Excellence and Success for All - with the referendum s goal of Planning for the Future...and Building for Success into the next five school years budget proposals. This budget is designed to address all of these things and more. For next year, we have calculated an increase of 1.23% in the educational program and 1.58% of the voter approved capital referendum, for a total increase of 2.81% to the tax levy. Fittingly, the budget maintains all of the vital academic resources, rich co-curricular opportunities and essential school services provided last year. In fact, we have enhanced our investment in our students and our schools going forward while being mindful of the financial pressures on our taxpayers. Please visit the Island Trees School District website for additional information and historical budget documents: Thank you in advance for your participation in this very important budget process and remember to vote. Every vote counts! Sincerely, Budget-to-Budget 2.66% Tax Levy 2.81% DISTRICT NEWSLETTER April, 2017 Volume 26 No. 2 The Island Trees Board of Education Kristen Daum, President Barbara Medellin, Vice President Brian Fielding William Fitzgerald Paul Giambona Amy Martin Michael T. Rich, Jr. Please consider this proposal carefully. We look forward to your support and invite you to a Budget Hearing on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 7:30 PM in the Stephen E. Karopczyc School. Voting on this proposal will take place on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, from 12 Noon to 9:00 PM at Michael F. Stokes School.

2 Community Budget Presentations Monday, April 24 7:00 PM PTSA - I. T. Memorial Middle School Monday, May 1-7:30 PM PTA Council - Karopczyc Tuesday, May 2-7:30 PM Budget Hearing - Karopczyc Wednesday, May 10-7:00 PM Elementary PTA - Sparke SCOPE Summer Day Care and Summer Exploration Programs Unfortunately, due to school construction projects, SCOPE will be unable to run their elementary summer day care and exploration programs this summer. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. The SCOPE summer day care and exploration programs will resume again in Island Trees Citizens Budget Advisory Committee The Board of Education would like to thank the Budget and Financial Advisory Committee for their input, suggestions and advice during the budget development process. A big thanks goes out to the following volunteers: Dawn Garcia, Russ Heigel, Michael Kutzma, Ted Maleska and Jacquetta Yee. Your Questions Answered... What is the proposed budget increase? The proposed school budget carries a tax levy increase of 2.81%. The expenditure increase is 2.66%. Does the budget exceed the tax cap law? The proposed budget does not exceed the tax cap. Each school district s calculation will be different based on their specific data. Based on the tax cap law and formula discussed in the above, Q&A: The Property Tax Cap, the district is permitted to utilize exemptions to calculate our specific tax cap. The tax cap is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Will taxpayers be eligible for a property tax rebate? Yes, under the current New York State Property Tax Rebate program, taxpayers who receive a STAR exemption, earn $275,000 or less, and reside in a district that complies with the New York State tax cap are eligible. What happens if voters reject the proposed budget? If voters reject the proposed budget, the Board may put up the same or revised budget for a second vote or adopt a contingency budget. A contingency budget for the Island Trees School District would require $1,148,275 in programmatic or service cuts. How much of this tax levy increase is related to the new capital projects? The tax levy increase is 2.81%. Of this amount, 1.58% of the levy increase is related to the new capital projects. We have budgeted $1,100,000 for debt service associated with the capital work in Phase I and II. Are there any exemptions for which homeowners may qualify to reduce school taxes? Most New York State residents who own and live in their homes have the opportunity to reduce their school property taxes through the New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) Program. Senior citizens are eligible for enhanced STAR credit. In order to receive this exemption, Nassau County residents must apply to the County Department of Assessment at or Island Trees School District

3 Capital Projects - Phase I On March 15, 2016, the Island Trees community overwhelmingly approved the $50,700,000 capital project and public library referendum. Generally after a proposition is approved, the actual construction takes about a year to commence given the State Education Department s architectural review process. Fortunately, our architect was able to expedite two high school projects, and as a result, we completed two projects during last summer. New high school bleachers and classroom floor project. High School Bleachers New High School Floors Capital Projects - Phase II Summer 2017 Building by Building Stokes Roof replacement Masonry brick work around the perimeter of the building New outside basketball court New gym wall pads Sparke New parking lot addition Masonry brick work around the perimeter of the building Roof repair Island Trees Memorial Middle School Hallway tile replacement project (all corridors) Masonry brick work around the perimeter of the building New gym wall pads Exterior ramp masonry work Island Trees High School New gym pads All of these projects are under budget! BOARD OF EDUCATION CONTINUES THEIR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION For the third year in a row, the Island Trees Board of Education has been able to enhance the programs, services and resources offered to the Island Trees students and school community. As a matter of fact, the Board has not reduced or cut any of our school services. They have been able to maintain all of our current school programs and class sizes while keeping expenses low. Enhancements for include: Additional Math Support at Island Trees Memorial Middle School (.5 FTE) New Interactive Technology Tablets for Sparke School Additional Section of 1st Grade New Club Opportunities for Stokes, Sparke and Island Trees Memorial Middle School Maintains Class Sizes K-12 Laminating Machine for Stokes School New Photography Equipment for Island Trees High School Interactive White Boards for Science Classes Micro-optic Microscopes for Island Trees High School Additional Intramural Opportunities New Facilities Vehicle Document Cameras for Island Trees High School Additional Water Bottle Filling Stations Tax Levy Increases Last Five Years % % % % % 5 Yr. Avg % Board of Education s Fiduciary Responsibility Noted by Office of New York State comptroller The Board of Education is charged with monitoring the financial status of the district and whether its assets are being used for the accomplishment of the institution s mission. For the fourth year in a row, the Fiscal Stress Monitoring System reported No Designation for Island Trees. According to the New York State Comptroller s Office, this means that the district is financially sound and is not operating under fiscal stress. Island Trees School District - 3

4 Census We are updating the Island Trees School District Census for upcoming school age children. Anyone who has just moved into the district or anyone with children 5 years of age or younger (born 2012 to the present) MUST complete this form. It can be dropped off at the Registration Office or returned by mail to: Island Trees UFSD Registration Office 74 Farmedge Road Levittown, NY U. S. National Chemistry Olympiad 2017 Top 10 Win for Island Trees High School Science Olympiad Six Island Trees High School students participated in the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad program on Sunday, March 5. The purpose of the competition is to encourage students to achieve excellence in chemistry. The following students were nominated to take this prestigious exam: Kenneth Chan, Brienna Carter, Michael Messina, Zuhal Saljooki, Sharjeel Shaikh and David Wendt. The top 20 scoring students from the local exam will then be chosen to attend a study camp to represent the U.S. at the International Chemistry Olympiad annual competition competing against the world s most talented chemistry students. This year the competition will be held at the Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, where they will be tested on their chemistry knowledge and skills in a five-hour laboratory practical and five-hour written theoretical examination. A team of Island Trees High School students went to Wantagh High School to compete at the Science Olympiad competition on February 4. The students crosstrained in a variety of events using many different skills. Each year the events are rotated to reflect the changing nature of science disciplines in chemistry, physics, geology, earth science, genetics, anatomy, mechanical engineering and technology. Emphasis is placed on hands-on group participation. Students worked with different teachers to achieve success in each event. Overall, Island Trees won 10th place against 44 other competing districts missing the nationals by only a few points. Our team members were: Alexa Vero, Andrew Bacotti, Anthony Galvez, Awais Zafar, Brienna Carter, Chris Ricca, David Wendt, Ethan Garcia, Juanke Wu, Justin Zhang, Kenneth Chan, Kirsten Krick, Ryan Talbot, Sharjeel Chaikh, Sheryl Lin, Taha Birben, Yoonho Choi, Timothy Mainez, and John Bellisio. 4 - Island Trees School District

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6 How does my home compare to the average home in the district? The assessed value is calculated at one quarter of one percent of the total value of the home as determined by the Nassau County Assessor s Office. In the example above, the full value of the average home is $274,800. You can find out how your property compares by visiting Then, visit our website, and use our tax calculator to estimate your school tax bill. 6 - Island Trees School District

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8 ISLAND TREES UFSD Administrative Offices 74 Farmedge Road Levittown, NY Board of Education Kristen Daum, President Barbara Medellin, Vice President Brian Fielding William Fitzgerald Paul Giambona Amy Martin Michael T. Rich, Jr. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PERMIT PAID 180 Island Trees Public Schools Budget Hearing Tuesday, May 2, :30 PM Stephen E. Karopczyc School Voter Registration Tuesday, May 2, :30 PM to 7:30 PM District Clerk s Office, Stephen E. Karopczyc School Open registration on all school days 9 AM to 3 PM in the office of the District Clerk, up to and including Thursday, May 11, 2017 Only registered voters can participate in the Island Trees UFSD budget vote. Anyone who has voted in one of the last four district elections or general elections is already registered. A voter must be: a U.S. Citizen, 18 years of age by the day of the election, a resident of the Island Trees School District for at least 30 days prior to the election. Absentee Ballots Qualified voters of the Island Trees UFSD who are unable to appear in person on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, may pick up an application for an absentee ballot through the office of the District Clerk, Stephen E. Karopczyc School, 74 Farmedge Road, Levittown, between the hours of 9 AM and 3 PM any school day. Such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be returned by mail. Applications may also be picked up through Monday, May 15, 2017, if the voter intends to hand-deliver the ballot to the District Clerk. ALL BALLOTS must be received no later than 5:00 PM on the day of the election. The district is not responsible for postal delays, and ballots received after this time cannot be included in the election. Persons designated Permanently Disabled by the Nassau County Board of Elections will automatically receive an absentee ballot. A copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the School District s budget for , exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by a resident of the District during business hours beginning April 25, 2017, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at the Administration Office, 74 Farmedge Road, Levittown, NY, and at each of the following schools: Island Trees High School, 59 Straight Lane, Levittown, NY; Island Trees Memorial Middle School, 45 Wantagh Avenue S., Levittown, NY; Michael F. Stokes School, 101 Owl Place, Levittown, NY; J. Fred Sparke School, 100 Robin Place, Levittown, NY. 8 - Island Trees School District