Updated Deer Park School Budget Raises Tax Levy, Reduces Staff Cuts

Proposed staff reductions in the Deer Park School District will be less than originally projected, as an updated 2013-14 draft budget shows an increased tax levy and a bump in state aid.

The current draft budget calls for a $103.67 million budget for 2013-14, up 2.4 percent from the current year's operating budget, according to Assistant Superintendent for Business Marguerite Jimenez.

The tax levy sits at 2.99 percent, an increase from the 2.57 hike initially proposed in March. That amount still fits well within the state's mandated cap of 3.82 percent for the district.

Demyen said a tax levy approaching the cap would produce a tax rate of more 4 percent for residents, a number she called "inordinate."

"Lots of districts are going to their cap," she said. "I know this community as well as any board member sitting here. We have to be fair to the community without unduly making students and staff suffer too." 

Also added into the updated draft budget is a portion of the the district is set to receive.

According to Jimenez, $396,226 will be used toward staffing and benefit costs, allowing the district to retain 4.3 full-time equivalents, which were originally on the chopping block under the earlier draft budget.

However, facing a deficit of more than $2 million, the district said staff cuts are still necessary to close the gap.

School officials have not revealed specific numbers on the amount of staff that will be cut or the departments they work in, though Demyen estimated last month that the reductions would equal about four percent of workers throughout the district.

As for the rest of the additional state aid, approximately $181,000 will help to replenish reserve funds and $264,500 will be earmarked as a "placeholder" for mandated healthcare costs, commonly called "Obamacare," which are slated to take effect in January 2014.

The BOE will adopt the budget on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the district administrative office.

The budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 21.

Related Budget Coverage:

• Deer Park Schools Facing $2.8 Million Budget Gap