The New Hyde Park-Garden City Park school board began making plans on Monday for its 2016-2017 budget, which district administrators said will not leave much room for new initiatives.
The district may be limited when it comes to funding more discretionary programs if it wants to stay under the state tax cap, Superintendent Robert Katulak said.
Last year, 80 percent of budget went towards teacher contracts and salaries for other school personnel, and the district has already made a number of cuts over the past several years.
“We’re down to the minimum,” Katulak said.
In August, the district set a tax levy of 0.9 percent, or $29,795,947, to fall within the state tax cap.
If the district wishes to set a higher tax, the budget will need to be approved by at least 60 percent of voters, who will decide whether to approve the budget in April 2016.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Frank said the capital reserve fund saw a small increase this year, but its growth has gotten smaller and smaller over the past several years.
“It’s going to be a tough budget season,” Frank said.
Katulak said the budget guidelines should keep class sizes to under 27 students, and asked the board if they had any particular programs or goals to propose.
School Trustee Joan Romagnoli proposed a foreign language program or club for elementary school students.
Trustee Jennifer DeRocchis suggested creating a program for students to have access to a designated teacher for extra help with school work before or after regular school hours.
The budget may also need to take into account repairs or improvements from the results of the Building Condition Survey, which the board is waiting to receive.
Starting in November, board members will tour the school buildings to see if they have any suggestions for improvement.
Board members will also consider requests from principals, which they hope to have before conducting the tours.
The district is in ongoing contract discussions with three groups of school workers, including nurses, custodians and clerical workers, who are currently working under expired contracts.
Administrators were set to meet with the custodians on Tuesday.
A mediated meeting with the clerical workers has also been set for Nov. 12.
The district declared an impasse with the nurses earlier this month and the two parties are working on scheduling a meeting for January.
Katulak said he is hopeful that all parties can come to an agreement during upcoming talks.
The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. at the Manor Oaks School.
New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District offers kindergarten through sixth grade and has more than 1,600 students. It comprises five schools: Garden City Park, Manor Oaks, Hillside Grade and New Hyde Park Road.
