The Great Neck Board of Education unveiled a $218,927,365 preliminary budget for the 2016-17 school year on Monday that calls for a $2,229,611 increase in spending over the current budget, but still requires a reduction of 14 teaching positions as well as 21 other employees to stay under the under the district’s .17 percent state-mandated tax cap.
Board Vice President Larry Gross said after hiring 24 new full-time positions last year the district would need to reduce the number of teachers by 14 in the 2016-17 school year.
“There will be an impact on district operations but it will not directly reduce our ability to present needed programs for our children,” Gross said. “Any further cuts would affect program.”
District Assistant Superintendent for Business John Powell said that in addition to cutting the number of teachers 21 non-teaching positions would also need to be eliminated to keep the budget under the cap.
These employees include one full-time administrative staff member, nine paraprofessionals, three full-time and three part-time clerical staff members, one buildings and grounds department supervisor and four cleaning attendants.
“We do understand there is a personal nature of any cut and would like to minimize that in continuation of the district’s history of constructive human resources actions,” Gross said.
Monika Azab, one of four cleaning attendants who work at the district’s secondary schools, called for the board to reconsider laying off her and three other female cleaning attendants, noting that the cuts would only apply to female attendants.
“I ask myself why am I one of the dismissed from my position if I do the same work as the men?” Azab asked. “You can say my position is no longer available, but I am just like the others.”
A nine-year employee of the district, she said the dismissal of female cleaning attendants would cause problems for female students.
“Sometimes females may have issues that might require special attention to that they only feel comfortable talking to other females about,” Azab said. “I, myself, have assisted many young ladies that have not felt well or just needed female support.”
Three years ago, the district threatened to lay off its four female cleaning attendants, but reconsidered and found other methods to increase funds for the district.
“Please understand that my job holds value and I take it very seriously,” Azab said. “I know you will not be disappointed with allowing myself or the other women to remain on the staff.”
Board President Barbara Berkowitz said nothing is finalized and the board would continue to look for ways to prevent employee layoffs.
“This, like all other items, will still be discussed further,” Berkowitz said.
Gross said the board initially developed a budget that exceeded last year’s by $5 million, but cut almost $3 million to keep the increase in spending to 1.03 percent through a reduction in the number of employees rather than student programs.
Powell said the proposed budget includes a $2 million increase in the salaries of district employees, a $1.65 million increase in the cost of employee health insurance benefits and a $1.25 million increase to special education services.
He said the district cut $1.4 million from the teachers’ retirement fund and almost $1 million from supplies and materials costs, and raised day school tuition charges to generate a $450,000 increase in revenues.
The district will also tap another $300,000 from its reserve fund, he said, and anticipates a $400,000 increase in state aid.
The district’s preliminary budget calls for the district to collect $196,097,039 in property taxes to cover spending, a .17 percent increase from last year.
Powell said the district would have had an additional $3.1 million in revenue had the state allowed it the maximum 2 percent tax levy limit.
The board will hold a budget discussion with staff members on March 19 at Great Neck South High School at 9:30 a.m.
The board will also hold public hearings on April 4, at Great Neck North Middle School, and April 19, at Great Neck South High School.
A budget vote will occur immediately after the April 19 hearing.
Residents will vote on the proposed budget on May 17 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Residents living north of the Great Neck Long Island Rail Road station will vote at the E.M. Baker School and residents living south of the LIRR will vote at Great Neck South High School.
The schools in the district are comprised of Great Neck North High School, Great Neck South High School, the Village School, Great Neck North Middle School, Great Neck South Middle School, the E.M. Baker School, the John F. Kennedy School, Lakeville School, Saddle Rock School and Parkville School.
