Shine Revises Budget Proposal: 1.8%
Tax Rate Increase, Portable Classrooms

– By Jim Byrne –

At the March 31 Board of Education meeting, Rye City School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Shine presented a revised version of his recommended 2009-10 school budget. Spending increased from $67.8 to $68.8 million, resulting in a 0.81% budget-to-budget increase versus the 0.66% decrease in February’s initial proposal.

The new recommendation estimates a tax rate increase of 1.8%, down from the original 2.8%. If the District did not propose action like reducing headcount by 16.2 full-time employees and their $1,071,800 in salaries and benefits Dr. Shine explained, the tax rate increase would be between 6 and 7%. That would be “totally unacceptable”, he said. School Business Official Kathleen Ryan said the current estimated increase is likely the floor and not the ceiling, because taxable assessments fluctuate and not all are in.

Dr. Shine recommended the district spend $600,000 for construction of two portable classrooms for use by September outside Rye High School. Since the money comes from fund balance savings, the District does not have to raise the tax rate. The administration and Board feel constructing the portables is imperative because enrollment in Rye’s middle and high schools for 2009-10 is estimated to increase at least 39 students.

The revised budget recommendation uses $900,000 from the fund balance. It also adds $162,000 for special education program and transportation costs. While the new MTA payroll tax expense is still pending, Ryan included a $130,000 appropriation addition for it. The District did receive good news when $322,000 in State aid was preserved in the new NYS budget.

The Board also discussed several hot-button topics, such as cuts in athletics and clubs, the reduction of 3.7 FTE library clerks, and the growth of the foreign language program in the elementary schools. There was discussion of “rejiggering” the budget to accommodate certain areas like athletics and clubs.

“We’re very aware of the fact the world has changed and people in our community are experiencing financial pains,” said Board Vice President Laura Slack. “The budget put forth reflects what we hear from the community. It’s close to a zero sum game, but I think there are little tweaks we can possibly make.”

Board members will adopt a budget at the April 14 meeting. There is another budget hearing May 5; the public budget vote takes place May 19.