Brentwood Bulletin Published by the Board of Education May 2016 2016-2017 Proposed School Budget May 4, 2016 Budget Hearing 7 PM Public Meeting Room Admin. Building The proposed budget with an estimated tax levy increase of 0.10% meets the cap and maintains the strong educational programs that our students and parents have come to expect, while being sensitive to the financial challenges confronting our Community. May 17, 2016 Budget Vote 8 AM - 9 PM Elementary Schools This publication is designed to inform residents of the Brentwood School District community of news about their schools. For further information, call 434-2334. www.bufsd.org BOARD OF EDUCATION Helen R. Moss, President Elizabeth Mercado, First Vice President G. Paula Moore, Second Vice President Daniel Calderon, Trustee Robert Feliciano, Trustee Eileen Felix, Trustee Gail Kirkham, Trustee Dr. Levi McIntyre, Superintendent of Schools RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER-LOCAL Brentwood Union Free School District NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage PAID BRENTWOOD, NY PERMIT NO. 1 Carrier Route Presort ECRWSS
A Message to All Residents Dear Residents, Balancing the needs of the School District in partnership with the Superintendent and the administrative team is something we take very seriously. We want to develop competent young men and women who are both college and career ready. We want each child to grow academically and exhibit a strong sense of civic responsibility. We want nurturing and caring professionals to guide our students development within a protective and safe environment. We understand that in order to provide these services we need to establish solid collaborative partnerships between the District, our students, their families and this community. The Board of Education has put significant importance on this alliance and your input has been noted throughout the budget planning process. considerable importance to this Board. We understand that the resources of the State and community are limited. The struggle to meet our needs and manage our desires is difficult. In preparing this year s budget we are faced with few challenges: decreasing reserves, insufficient state aid, and increasing student enrollment amongst other concerns. Despite the above, I stand confident in the resolve of this board and the hard work of the administrative team for constructing the 2016-2017 budget. It is a fiscally prudent budget which attempts to maintain the academic and extracurricular programs that benefits our students. Sincerely, Helen Moss President, Brentwood Board of Education Please recognize that balancing quality education and being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers is of Superintendent s Message Dear Residents, Each school year, the District commits itself to providing an excellent level of education for our students. We are committed to their achievements ensuring we produce civic minded individuals who are both college and career ready. This year is no different. We will continue in this same tradition by approaching the budget conservatively and fiscally. My administrative staff and I along with the Board of Education have worked diligently to identify areas where we could trim the 2016-2017 budget yet preserve quality programs for our students. We are proposing a budget with an estimated tax levy increase of 0.1%. The 2016-2017 budget will be in the amount of $381,757,188 with a tax levy that does not exceed the statutory tax levy cap but protects critical programs for our children. On behalf of the administrators, faculty and staff of the Brentwood School District thank you for your continued support as we endeavor to serve your children in the best manner possible. Please join us at the upcoming Budget Vote on May 17, 2016 in the Public Meeting room of the Anthony Felicio Administration Center. Sincerely, This budget maintains academic programs while addressing our achievements and graduation rates. It supports interscholastic athletics and co-curricular programs, while preserving academic intervention, counseling services and current transportation services. 1 Levi McIntyre Superintendent of Schools
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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS... Does the District intend to exceed the tax levy cap? No. The proposed budget includes a tax levy increase of 0.10%, which does not exceed the cap; therefore, the budget requires a 50% approval rate in order to be successful. What has the District done to stay within the tax levy limit? Over the last few months, the Board of Education and Administration have worked diligently to develop a spending plan that sustains an educationally sound program for students while taking into account the fiscal challenges facing the Community. Wherever possible, every measure was taken to reduce spending without directly impacting programs for students. What were some of the measures taken to reduce spending? Some non-instructional positions were eliminated, through attrition where possible, and other staff were repurposed to create efficiencies. Some services like home teaching were redesigned to help create additional efficiencies, and certain equipment expenditures were put on hold. What must the District do for qualified property owners to receive the Property Tax Relief Credit on their income tax return? For the District to render its taxpayers eligible for the credit authorized by NYS Tax Law 606 n-1, the School District must be in compliance with the tax levy limit in the manner prescribed by subdivision two of section two thousand twenty-three-b of the education law. The proposed 2016/17 budget is in compliance. For qualified homeowners to receive the Property Tax Relief Credit in the 2016 tax year the taxpayers must meet income and residency requirements of the STAR program. The relief credit should be approximately $130.00 in the 2016 tax year. To verify your compliance, it is recommended you consult with your personal tax professional. Does the proposed 2016/17 budget contain any multi-year agreements? Yes. The proposed 2016/17 budget contains a multi-year agreement to purchase copiers needed for instructional purposes. 3
Will any programs be cut in the 2016/17 school year? No. The proposed 2016/17 budget does not eliminate any of the current educational programs. In fact, additional funding is included in the budget to support enrollment growth and the Board of Regents revised Part 154 regulations. While this revision is beneficial to students, it represents another unfunded mandate imposed on the District. Has the District appropriated any restricted reserves to the 2016/17 budget? The District has appropriated $3,000,000 in restricted reserves to fund the 2016/17 budget, in an effort to insure that no instructional programs would be cut. What happens if the budget vote fails? If the budget vote were to fail on the first attempt the Board of Education could adopt a contingent budget or put up the same budget or a modified budget for a second vote. If the budget vote were defeated for a second time the Board would have to adopt a contingent budget. Under a contingent budget the tax levy must be frozen at last year s amount, causing budget reductions of roughly $101,262. 4
Where Do Your School Dollars Come From? Where Do Your School Dollars Go? State Aid 64.35% Tax Levy 24.12% Instruction 54.29% Employee Benefits 25.03% General Support 8.87% Other Income 2.67% STAR 2.51% Fund Balance 6.36% Interfund Transfer 0.69% Debt Services 4.09% Transportation 7.02% GENERAL SUPPORT Budget Proposed Budget Function Description 2015-16 2016-17 $ Change 1010 Board of Education 53,550 54,925 1,375 1040 District Clerk 38,241 38,214-27 1060 District Meeting 52,156 52,156 0 1240 Chief School Administrator & Staff 486,779 498,399 11,620 1310 Business Administration 1,448,430 1,511,615 63,185 1320 Auditing 131,000 119,500-11,500 1325 Treasurer 18,554 17,851-703 1345 Purchasing 1,003,984 871,773-132,211 1380 Fiscal Agent Fees 20,400 20,400 0 1420 Legal Services 465,000 465,000 0 1430 Personnel Services 650,123 688,520 38,397 1460 Records Management Officer 120,576 123,218 2,642 1480 Public Information & Services 134,500 134,500 0 1620 Operations & Maintenance of Plant 21,962,309 22,272,577 310,268 1670 Central Printing & Mailing 710,259 739,019 28,760 1680 Central Data Processing 3,529,704 3,603,057 73,353 1910 Unallocated Insurance 1,102,986 1,199,175 96,189 1981 Administrative Charges - BOCES 1,476,338 1,437,000-39,338 TOTAL GENERAL SUPPORT 33,404,889 33,846,899 442,010 5
INSTRUCTION Budget Function Description 2015-16 2010 Curriculum Development & Supervision 2,925,223 2020 Supervision - Regular School 9,026,292 2030 Supervision - Special Education 679,595 2040 Supervision - Other Schools 123,477 2050 Continuing Education 3,000 2060 Research, Planning & Evaluation 85,815 2070 In-Service Training 72,500 2110 Regular Day School 120,338,217 2250 Programs for Handicapped Children 38,329,920 2255 Services for Pupils with Learning Disabilities 3,812,771 2260 Speech Services 2,934,686 2280 Occupational Education 2,853,411 2320 Evening High School 508,866 2331 Secondary Summer School 239,700 2335 Elementary Enrichment 50,000 2355 Summmer Music Inst. Program 85,000 2610 School Library & Audiovisual 4,542,696 2620 Video Studio 0 2630 Computer Assisted Instruction 855,000 2805 Attendance 1,375,884 2806 Attendance Improvement 261,935 2810 Guidance 3,633,260 2815 Health 2,570,482 2820 Psychological Services 954,557 2825 Social Work Services 631,381 2850 Co-Curricular Activities 439,224 2855 Inter-Scholastic Athletics 1,395,465 TOTAL INSTRUCTION 198,728,357 6 Proposed Budget 2016-17 2,338,472 9,365,865 688,514 113,071 2,500 84,775 52,750 126,839,878 39,761,011 3,584,364 3,017,086 2,939,186 433,866 294,700 70,000 87,500 4,996,270 57,952 855,000 1,280,539 191,148 4,210,139 2,654,782 978,578 645,854 443,134 1,270,524 207,257,458 $ Change -586,751 339,573 8,919-10,406-500 -1,040-19,750 6,501,661 1,431,091-228,407 82,400 85,775-75,000 55,000 20,000 2,500 453,574 57,952 0-95,345-70,787 576,879 84,300 24,021 14,473 3,910-124,941 8,529,101
PUPIL TRANSPORTATION Budget Proposed Budget Function Description 2015-16 2016-17 $ Change 5510 Pupil Transportation 24,912,181 26,810,842 1,898,661 TOTAL PUPIL TRANSPORTATION 24,912,181 26,810,842 1,898,661 UNDISTRIBUTED EXPENSES Budget Proposed Budget Function Description 2015-16 2016-17 $ Change 9000 Employee Benefits 92,548,634 95,564,452 3,015,818 9700 Debt Service 15,985,811 15,627,537-358,274 9900 Interfund Transfer 2,625,000 2,650,000 25,000 TOTAL UNDISTRIBUTED EXPENSE 111,159,445 113,841,989 2,682,544 OVERALL TOTAL 368,204,872 381,757,188 13,552,316 2015-2016 District Highlights and Accomplishments The District has been recognized by U.S Environmental Protection Agency for participating in Energy Star Low Carbon IT campaign by implementing the Computer Power Management district wide High School Principal Rich Loeschner named New York State Principal of the Year Brentwood High School hosted the Eastern Long Island Regional Science Olympiad competition for the second year in a row Brentwood Students placed third at this year s Long Island Science and Engineering Fair Brentwood Students were selected as Siemens Foundation Semifinalists Brentwood Students received the NASA Earth Systems Science Award Brentwood Students received The Association for Geoscience Award for their research on Nitrogen levels in the Connetquot River Brentwood Students lobbied Suffolk County Legislature for Ban on Plastic Bags Brentwood High School Air Force JROTC held Tribute to Fallen Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans Brentwood Boys Varsity Basketball Team are League 1 Champions and Suffolk County Finalists 7 Brentwood Boys Varsity Soccer Team are League 1 Champions and Suffolk County Finalists Brentwood Girls Varsity Tennis Team are League 1 Champions Brentwood Boys Varsity Wrestling Team are League 1 Champions Boys Varsity Wrestling Coach Ralph Napolitano was selected as League 1 Coach of the Year
ESTIMATED REVENUE AND NET TAX LEVY Estimated 15-16 Proposed Budget 16-17 Change State Aid Operating Aid 201,195,919 209,576,421 8,380,502 Building Aid 16,892,906 16,491,919 (400,987) Transportation Aid 17,946,992 19,601,526 1,654,534 GAP Elimination Aid (45,042) - 45,042 Total State Aid 235,990,775 245,669,866 9,679,091 Other Income Federal Programs Indirect Costs 150,000 750,000 600,000 Interest on Deposits 175,000 175,000 - Summer School Tuition 5,000 10,000 5,000 Day School Tuition 500,000 200,000 (300,000) Adult Education Fees - BOCES - Projected Balance 175,000 250,000 75,000 Miscellaneous 1,000,000 1,000,000 - Industrial Development P.I.L.O.T. Funds 7,563,273 7,791,708 228,435 Total Anticipated Revenue 245,559,048 255,846,574 10,287,526 Estimated Surplus 21,106,261 24,269,790 3,163,529 School Tax Relief (STAR) Reimbursement 9,575,000 9,575,000 - NET TAX LEVY 91,964,563 92,065,824 101,261 TOTALS 368,204,872 381,757,188 13,552,316 New York State Component Budget 2015-16 2016-17 Change Administrative 36,907,436 36,768,992 (138,444) Program 289,754,462 303,547,329 13,792,867 Capital 41,542,974 41,440,867 (102,107) TOTAL 368,204,872 381,757,188 13,552,316 PROPERTY TAX REPORT CARD Budgeted Proposed Percent 2015/16 2016/17 Change Total Budgeted Amount, not Including Separate Propositions $368,204,872 $381,757,188 3.68% A. Proposed Tax Levy to Support the Total Budgeted Amount * $101,539,563 $101,640,824 B. Tax Levy to Support Library Debt, if Applicable $0 $0 C. Tax Levy for Non-Excludable Propositions, if Applicable ** $0 $0 D. Total Tax Cap Reserve Amount Used to Reduce Current Year Levy, if Applicable $0 $0 E. Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy (A + B + C - D) $101,539,563 $101,640,824 0.10% F. Permissible Exclusions to the School Tax Levy Limit $0 $0 G. School Tax Levy Limit, Excluding Levy for Permissible Exclusions *** $101,539,563 $101,640,824 H. Total Proposed Tax Levy for School Purposes, Excluding Permissible Exclusions and Levy for $101,539,563 $101,640,824 Library Debt, Plus Prior Year Tax Cap Reserve (E - B - F + D) I. Difference: (G - H); (negative value requires 60.0% voter approval) ** $0 $0 Public School Enrollment 18,750 19,000 1.33% Consumer Price Index 0.12% Actual 15/16 Estimated 16/17 Adjusted Restricted Fund Balance $42,259,968 $40,226,200 Assigned Appropriated Fund Balance $21,351,615 $23,824,228 Adjusted, Unrestricted Fund Balance $10,329,548 $8,488,947 Adjusted, Unrestricted Fund Balance 2.81% 2.22% As A Percentage Of The Total Budget 8
All qualified voters are urged to VOTE Tuesday, May 17, 2016 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. at your local elementary school VOTING PROCEDURES The Board of Education of the Brentwood School District wishes to inform the Community that the State Legislature, as of September 1, 1975, amended the Election Law and the Education Law, with regard to the qualifications of registrants at school district meetings or elections. The law states that any registered voter for general elections IS ENTITLED TO CAST A BALLOT IN A SCHOOL ELECTION OR MEETING WITHOUT REGISTRATION. In order to allow non-registered residents of the Community to vote under the new law, any voter who has registered with the school district within the past four years, or is a qualified voter in the general election, must vote in his or her local elementary school. PROPOSITION #1 RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Brentwood Union Free School District is hereby authorized to expend during the 2016-2017 school year the sum set forth in the budget estimate for the school year 2016-2017, heretofore presented pursuant to law, in the amount of $381,757,188 and that the Board of Education be authorized to levy the necessary tax therefore in the amount of $101,640,824 which does not exceed the statutory tax levy cap. Voter Registration For more information please contact the District Clerk. 9