The preliminary budget for the Great Neck Public School District’s 2020-21 fiscal year shows a total increase of more than $8 million, according to a presentation made by Superintendent Teresa Prendergast and Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance John Powell.
The 2020-21 preliminary budget is $242,799,885 compared to last year’s budget of $234,418,944. If approved, the budget would be a 3.58-percent increase in total expenditures from last year.
Powell said the proposed budget remained within the state-mandated tax, despite increasing by more than $8 million or 3.58 percent.
“The 2-percent tax cap that everyone assumes to mean the Real Property Tax Levy cannot increase higher than two percent is not absolute,” he said. “Though a 2-percent cap is possible, each public school district’s tax limit will be different as a result of that district’s individual calculation.”
According to the budget, other tax cap calculation components permit the district to raise taxes by 4.16 percent for 2020-21.
As of now, the budget calls for a 2.96 percent increase in real property tax.
Powell said the reasons for the proposed $8 million increase in spending were transportation services, cost overruns from capital projects, Medicare reimbursements, security, and increased enrollment in the district’s special education program.
Powell said there will be a $1.7 million increase in just the transportation services. This is due to the previous company the district used was bought out by another company, according to Powell.
“Unfortunately, there is also a driver shortage in the industry, and now higher salaries and benefits are being offered to those drivers,” Powell said. “The results came in from a [request for proposal] and that proposed number was 1.7 million dollars.”
When employees retire and then reach the age of 65, Powell said, Medicare becomes their primary insurance carrier.
“Based on the retiree’s income and whether or not they have a family plan, an average reimbursement could cost the school $5,500 per retiree,” he said. The overall increase to the budget is roughly $600,000, he said.
According to Powell, the school’s special education program enrollment throughout the district has increased from 890 in the 2010-11 school year to 1,269 this year, a 40-percent enrollment increase.
Prendergast outlined the full-time equivalents proposed in the budget, which include two new elementary school guidance counselors and a technical security officer to prevent cybersecurity breaches from occurring.
“We have seen what has happened in other school districts along the island,” Prendergast said. “Our tech team here is committed to ensuring the online safety of sensitive information of our students and staff. The two counselors also ensure we are doing everything we can for our students’ mental safety and well-being.”
Prendergast said none of the current programs at the elementary and secondary schools will be eliminated.
Great Neck Teachers Association President Jim Daszenski addressed the board during open time.
Daszenski touted the work of Prendergast and Powell drafting the budget but said that the funding for staff and faculty had much to be desired.
“We have dire issues in this district, yet this board and this budget turn a blind eye to our highest needs,” Daszenski said. “Do not allow your legacy to be that the Great Neck Public Schools fell farther behind neighboring districts like Jericho, Roslyn, Syosset, and so on. Please do not allow anyone to ever say that this board did less to support its students and educators when they had the resources and opportunity to do more.”
The presentation was the first of five budget discussions the Board of Education will host. Board President Barbara Berkowitz said she encourages parents and people who reside in the school district to attend each one to gain a deeper understanding and contribute ideas.
The next budget meeting is scheduled for the South High library on Saturday, March 21 at 9:30 a.m.
