Schools

School Superintendent: 'We Have Closed The Gap'

The 2013-1014 Southold school budget forecast has improved dramatically.

"What a difference three weeks makes."

So said Southold Union Free School District Superintendent David Gamberg at a school budget hearing held Wednesday night in the auditorium. "Three weeks makes a dramatic difference."

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Three weeks ago, at the first budget hearing, the district was faced with a $700,000 gap and the possibiliity of slight cuts in programs.

The forecast has brightened considerably, Gamberg said. "It's like night and day."

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But he noted. there is still a need to be "mindful of the long term. This budget keeps an eye on the prize for a three-to-five year period."

The fact remains, Gamberg said, that the district faces a declining enrollment; currently, the enrollment stands at 850 students, down from 1000 a few years ago. 

The budget-to-budget increase for the 2013-2014 budget is 3.94 percent, he said, rather than the almost 6 percent, and a $700,000 gap, that was expected three weeks ago. "We have closed the gap," he said. The district, he added, is not looking to pierce the tax cap levy.

Districts across the board are facing similar inceases, Gamberg said, due to contractual obligations such as health care and pension costs.

A decision by New York State to reallocate funds to school districts made a "huge" difference, Gamberg said. The original governor's budget had the district set to lose almost $200,000 -- now, the budget is up by $100,000, at $1,689,213.

In addition, the district was able to obtain $384,000 in savings due to unexpected retirements. The positions of the senior staffers will be replaced at significantly less, Gamberg said.

Other cuts to supplies, equipment and professional development were made, to the tune of $65,000, the superintendent added.

As for programs, music staffing was reduced to 5 full-time positions to 4.8 staff members; art was reduced from 2.3 to 2.0. due to one part-time position begin eliminated. "Those small reductions are due to declining enrollment," Gamberg said. "We no longer need that level of staffing.

Kindergarten and and first grade wo;; have art once every six days and music twice; second and third grades would still have art twice every six days.

Fourth graders would have music once every six days; but, Gamberg reminded, fourth graders have the opportunity to play an instrument. Fifth and sixth graders have art twice in six days. 

"We are still the only district with an orchestra program -- and we still will be, thankfully," Gamberg said.

Kindergarten will remain a full day, Gamberg said. "And electives and extra-curricular activities remain fully intact."

The district will still share a play with the Greenport school district and will look for ways to share other technology, athletics, and intramural events.

PTA Executive Board President Angela Tondo thanked the BOE for all their hard work and thanked the teachers who "retired to save programs."

Each of the teachers that retired will be replaced, Gamberg said, to ensure that students maintain the same levels of programs and electives.

One elective, AP music theory, is projected to be cut, Gamberg said, because only five students enrolled.

Tondo asked about technology; Gamberg said a new model is set to be put in place that will  mean sharing technology with Greenport.

Other parents pleaded with the board to reconsider any cuts to music programs, however minimal.

Student Susanna Kelly asked why music and art "are always the first to go?"

Gamberg said the situation needed to be looked at "in totality," and said music and art were not the first areas where slight cuts have been seen. Cuts have been made in the business and technology departments, he said. And, he added, "We think limited cuts won't have a profound impact. We're not doing anything that's going to dramatically impact the net effect of the program."

BOE President Paulette Ofrias said years ago, when there was a big enrollment jump, positions were added that are no longer necessary. And, she reminded, "Three weeks ago we were in a really bad place. Now, we're in a much better place."

Parents involved with the Southold Music Boosters advocated for music programs and stated the long-term positive impacts of music education, beginning at the elementary level.

Southold resident Alexandra Graham quoted Plato and stressed the importance of music. "Music," she said, "is for the mind."

Southold senior Don Wagner said the school budget has increased roughly $1 million per year, making it impossible for some senior citizens to continue to live in town. 

One parent suggested a non-profit organization could help to provide students with opportunities in trying economic times. Ofrias said BOE member Judi Fouchet was working on an educational foundation for Southold schools.

The board is expected to vote on the budget at its next meeting on April 17.


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