Public Budget Sessions Yield Few Cost Savings

by Joan R. Simon

(December 8, 2004) The second of the Mamaroneck School Board’s budget sessions drew another group of 60 or so residents prepared to walk through the thicket of tax certioraris, health benefit costs and mandated special education placements, among other budget topics (see: The Multi-Million Dollar Question).

“Because of the concern we feel, and because of the concern we think the community also feels, we wanted to make sure that we come together to understand what is in the budget, what is causing the increase, and what we can do about it,” remarked school board president Celia Felsher.

For next year, even with no additions to any programs, the total tax increase would be 9.4% -- the third year in a row for a tax hike near 10%, reported Sarah Tate, Assistant Superintendent for Operations as she introduced the issues facing the community. However, by the end of the evening, there seemed to be more consensus on what should be added to the budget -- in particular increasing teachers in kindergarten classes and at the high school – than there was about what could be cut.

Superintendent Sherry King and Ms. Tate proposed a number of areas for possible budget pruning and during their presentations answered many of the written questions submitted at the end of the first budget session in November.

A number of questions pertained to areas that might yield substantial savings, although there was no consensus on any specific measure.

Technology? Purchase of new equipment could be deferred for a year or two.

Staff development? Cuts might be found after evaluating the whole program. The three teachers on special assignment are a part of this category.

Kemper Memorial? Next year’s budget is scheduled to include an additional $800,000 for the expansion of the athletic fields at the high school, a project that is still awaiting a court decision (see: Kemper Memorial Controversy Has Its Day in Court). Dr. King referred to the additional athletic field as an "unresolved issue and subject to much more discussion by the board." She added, “It is not our intention to expand our athletic program.”

Other issues were raised, but either the district did not recommend these actions or did not see much savings to be had in these areas:

Cutting back on debt service by refinancing existing bonds or postponing projects? Ms. Tate explained that the district works with a bonding agent to determine when and if refinancing would save money, but there are few opportunities available. Mamaroneck is one of only a handful of districts in New York state to have a “Triple A” Moody’s rating, which lowers borrowing costs. The two capital projects still underway are Phase II of the high school renovation and the construction scheduled for Mamaroneck Avenue School next year. The latter will require an additional expenditure of $1.8 million in the upcoming budget, but Dr. King did not recommend delaying this project.

Maintenance? Ms. Tate explained that the district maintains one million square feet in its six buildings, some of which are more than 100 years old and the ratio of custodian to space is already at the upper limit recommended, leaving no room for reductions.

Administrative Cutbacks? Dr. King described the administrative staff as “fairly lean,” explaining that the hiring last year of an Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction was long overdue. “We were just about the only district of any size which didn’t have that position,” she said.

BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) Membership? Mamaroneck has not paid to join BOCES and therefore pays separately for each service used, including a significant number of special education placements. However, the Financial Advisory Committee studied the issue and concluded usage was not high enough to make membership cost-effective.

Reducing Special Education Costs, Including Out-of-District Placements? In 2003-2004 the district had 50 students placed out of the district, this year there are 49. If the district is unable to supply a service specified in a student’s I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan), it is legally bound to pay for out-of-district schooling, ranging in cost from $30,000 to $100,000 per year. To lower these costs, the district is now providing BOCES with two classes at the Hommocks, which not only offers in-district education to some Mamaroneck special education students, but also bring in additional rental income from outside. Peter Berendt, Director of Special Education, reported that 40 students were declassified last year and 35 more have been declassified so far this year. “Special education isn’t forever,” he added.

What about the comparison to other districts regarding teacher salaries, yearly percentage increases in salary, health benefit costs, and equipment and supplies? Ms. Tate presented a number of charts showing Mamaroneck to be at the median or below in all of these areas when compared with the 44 other districts in the county, and lower than the districts Mamaroneck compares with academically, such as Scarsdale, Rye and Bronxville.

Grants from the federal government and private corporations? Dr. King said, “We do all of the work necessary to bring federal funds into the school district,” but she questioned the legal and ethical issues involved with commercial grants. “Nothing comes for free – especially money,” she noted, and said the district would “do only those things that we feel are consistent with a public school system,” where there is opportunity for everyone.

Class Size

The most heavily discussed issue of the evening was class size. A special roundtable discussion addressed the need for reducing class size from 25 to 22 in the kindergartens at Chatsworth, Central and Murray, a move that is supported by the elementary administration. (A class size of 17 is maintained at Mamaroneck Avenue School, which has all-day kindergarten classes.) Principal Mark Orfinger argued the case for adding four more teachers at the high school in order to keep classes at or below 25 students. He explained that the school’s population will grow by 50 students next year to 1455; just five years ago, the school had fewer than 1200 students. The cost to the budget of adding additional kindergarten and high school teachers would be approximately $400,000.

Consensus?

As a culminating experience, the audience broke into small group discussions and the issues reported back were remarkably similar from one group to another: class size (with strong support for reducing the kindergarten numbers); diligence in reducing waste and keeping a tight rein on costs; long term strategic planning to keep benefit and other fixed costs in check; pre-school intervention to prevent long term special education needs; increased rental of facilities; reassessment of property in the district; partnership with corporations; and deferring capital projects.

But many parents expressed satisfaction with the schools, with one father saying he was “happy with the level of service” his children were getting. Another added: “I don’t mind paying taxes if I’m going to get my money’s worth.”

Next Steps

Where does the budget debate go from here? The superintendent’s proposed budget will be given to the board in February. There will be further open meetings in March, with a final budget presented for board approval on April 12. The community will vote on the budget May 17.

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