School Board Answers Budget Questions at Community Forum

In an effort to clear up misunderstandings about the proposed Scarsdale School Budget for 2013-14 and explain what it funds, members of the Scarsdale Board of Education and administration held two community budget forums; one on April 24 and the other on May 2. On May 2, Board of Education members Jill Spieler and Suzanne Seiden, and Assistant Superintendent Linda Purvis provided an analysis of the budget, discussed the Center for Health, Fitness and Learning, and answered questions from the community.

Ms. Spieler, Ms. Seiden, and Ms. Purvis started by explaining everything the new budget will accomplish. The proposed 2013-14 budget will achieve the following:

• Add one English teacher in the high school
• Upgrade a part-time high school drama teacher to full-time position
• Maintain two librarians at the High School
• Add one unassigned teaching position to be used if enrollment requires it
• Add two people to the technology staff, to free up computer teachers to help students
• Maintain favorable class sizes, core curriculum, the diverse array of high school courses and electives, and the wide range of extra-curricular and sports opportunities
• Continue Scarsdale Education for Tomorrow initiatives
• Maintain the schedule of building/facilities repairs and maintenance
• Improve facilities to address student needs
• Undertake the long-awaited upgrade of substandard fitness facilities
• Add 80 seats in High School cafeteria and commons to alleviate crowding
• Add or enhance existing security systems
• Add security staff at Middle and High School entrances (while maintaining an open campus)

The Board members also elaborated on the tax and budget growth in this year's budget. The budget has grown 2.47% over last year, among the lowest budget increases in three decades, and among the lowest in Westchester Country this year. The majority of the budget growth, 1.9%, is due to state-mandated increases in retirement system charges, and the additional .57% percent increase is a result of net changes in programs and services.

The new budget also means proposed tax levy growth of 3.93%, which is above the 3.46% percent New York State-imposed tax cap. Several visitors were curious about the tax-cap, and the Board members explained that it is a statewide limit on tax growth. The board members also explained that imposing a tax-cap without mandate relief makes creating a balanced budget very difficult because a considerable amount of the increases in taxes are products of state-mandated spending. While this year's budget does put Scarsdale over the tax-cap, it is only by .5 percent, or $700,000 and many other communities are only able to stay below the tax-cap by taking millions out of their reserves, which can only be done for so long.
Ms. Spieler, Ms. Seiden, and Ms. Purvis delved into the plans for the Center for Health, Fitness and Learning, and its relationship to this year's budget. The Board of Education planned the Center for Health, Fitness and Learning because the current fitness center is small, marginally unsafe, and is not considered enticing to non-athletes. With the new 4,500 square foot center under the new gym, there will be enough space for all students to exercise safely and the school plans to revamp the current skills-based Physical Education curriculum to utilize the new facility. The old fitness center can be renovated down the road to relieve crowding in the library and cafeteria. The Center for Health Fitness and Learning is to be funded using $650,000 from last year's budget and money from the Scarsdale repair reserves, with none of the official funds coming from this year's budget and at no additional cost to tax payers. Funding for the Center is exempt from the tax-cap because it is a capital improvement and even if the plan were to be scrapped, the budget would remain at $700,000 above the tax cap.

Board members closed the meeting with a discussion of what would happen if the budget does not pass with a 60% vote on Tuesday May 21. In that case, the budget would be cut by $700,000, the Center for Health, Fitness and Learning would not be built and there would be additional program cuts. If the budget does not pass a second time then the Board would be forced to eliminate $5 million from the budget and return to the current budget, though the district would still need to absorb mandated costs.

The Board emphasized that they have thoroughly studied and considered the proposed budget and they contend that it balances the need to provide an excellent academic program within fiscal constraints.

The Board encourages the community to register to vote and to learn more about the proposed Center for Health, Fitness and Learning by clicking here to take a virtual tour.

This article was contributed by Brian Shabto, a Senior at Scarsdale High School.