Board Approves School Budget WIth 7.52% Tax Rate Hike

by Joan R. Simon

(April 14, 2005) Revenues are up, announced Mamaroneck School Board president Celia Felsher at the monthly meeting on April 12 before presenting the budget for 2005-06. The final budget of $96,302,000 contains $350,000 more than the proposed budget, but thanks to the rise in revenues, the earlier tax rate increase of 7.5% will stay the same. The extra $350,000 will permit the district to start addressing the complex problems associated with changing the accounting practice for funding the Teacher Retirement System, Ms. Felsher explained.

The final budget, which the board approved unanimously, represented cuts in several areas, including staff development and technology. Other than increases mandated by federal, state or contractual obligations, the only significant additions to the budget were for more kindergarten teachers (reducing class size to 21) and high school staff (See: Kemper Funds Out/New Teachers In: School Tax to Rise.)

More $ for Community Counseling Center

The final budget included an additional $10,000 for the Community Counseling Center, but Superintendent Sherry King explained that she had trimmed small amounts from other lines to provide this funding. A request for a varsity ski team was deferred, pending a review of all sports offerings in the district. (See: Late-Breaking Issue for School Budget.)

Funding the Teacher Retirement System

The complicated issue of funding the Teacher Retirement System (TRS), which has been discussed at several earlier budget sessions, dominated the budget presentation. The Mamaroneck district, like many others in the county and the state, adds money to the TRS on a “cash” basis – i.e., accruing the money needed in the year it is actually going to be spent. Ms Felsher explained that as a result of changes at the state level, school districts will now have to add the money a year ahead of time. Switching over will require the district to come up with an extra $2.2 million, a hefty sum.

Though eyes may glaze over at the complicated accounting procedures involved, Ms. Felsher warned that the board needs to find the extra money or risk its AAA Moody rating.

“Because of the problems this change provides for so many school districts, the legislature adopted a stop-gap measure to allow districts to provide for this over the next three years,” Ms. Felsher said.

With the small rise in revenues, Ms. Felsher suggested adding $350,000 to the budget to be allocated to the TRS fund. This amount raised the budget total to $96,302,000, with a budget to budget increase of 7.6%, and a tax increase of 7.52%. This is only a small change from the superintendent’s proposed budget of $95,952,000, with a budget to budget increase of 7.21% and a tax rise (based at the time on an expected decline in revenues) of 7.53%. (See: School Tax to Rise 7.53%)

Dr. King pointed out that the Mamaroneck tax increase was the fourth lowest of the 20 Westchester districts that have already announced their budget figures (seven are still in the works), with a few districts proposing budgets that will raise tax rates 10% or higher.

Rising Revenues

An up-tick in new construction and home renovation is raising property assessments, and for the first time in recent years, has outstripped the reductions that individuals and institutions can get on their individual properties through tax certioraris. “A lot of people have kept their money in their homes,” remarked Susan Thomas, tax assessor for the Town of Mamaroneck. “When you do major renovations, anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000,” your assessment will go up. The final tally will not be available until July, she said.

Darkroom and Social Studies Class Loads

Two other issues that cropped up at earlier budget hearings are being handled in different ways. Dr. King’s decision to eliminate the photography darkroom and replace it with a digital photography lab (See: MHS Darkroom Going Digital? Film Fans Opposed ) has continued to generate conversation, although as Dr. King explained, the decision does not impact the 2005-2006 budget. (See: Letters to the Editor). Changes in the photography department are part of the overall renovation of classrooms at the high school and will be funded by the $49.7 million bond passed in 2001. This project will not take place before next year, and further discussion on the darkroom issue is not expected until then.

The debate over “release time” for social studies teachers with more than two advanced placement courses (See:Late-Breaking Issue for School Budget: Teacher Class Load) has led to a general review of staffing and student loads in the social studies department. The part time position that is being added to the department for next year will be raised from .4 to .6, but Dr. King has said that the bottom line of the budget will not be affected.

Next Step: Budget Vote on May 17

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