Amityville Proposes 47 Layoffs In District Spending Plan For 2024-25

AMITYVILLE, NY — The Amityville Board of Education will cut 47 staff positions, including 25 teachers, to fill a $3.6 million budget shortfall. The trustees voted for the layoffs at their March 6 workshop on the 2024-25 spending plan, according to news reports.

It's a two-year-old problem. The independent audit of the district done in June pointed out that spending exceeded revenues in 2022-23 by $3,593,301.

"The District's internal controls over budgeting were ineffective," the auditors said. "Effect: The District’s voter-approved budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year was over expended. The general fund’s unassigned fund balance decreased significantly, putting the District in fiscal stress."

According to the audit, the district’s expenses increased primarily in general support and instruction costs.

General support increased due to higher payroll costs resulting from the settlement of an employment contract, as well as additional security coverage during regular and after school hours, sporting events, and special programs. Additional BOCES costs were also incurred for the purchase of a student information system.

Instruction increased due to:

• Payroll for grade-level leaders
• Payments for teachers who taught extra classes in the previous and current school years
• Home instruction and remote tutoring for students
• Additional coverage for teachers who took FMLA leaves
• Higher than expected enrollment at charter schools
• Higher than budgeted number of students placed in BOCES and special education programs

Employee benefits also increased due to increases in health insurance premiums, workers’ compensation claims payments, and required pension contributions, the auditors said.

The auditors said the problem was that district officials had been ineffective at controlling expenses.

In January, the board approved a corrective action plan. It included a purchasing freeze beginning Jan. 1, and consideration of personnel cuts — though two months ago the trustees hoped staff reduction could come through attrition — and changes to class size where appropriate beginning in the 2024-25 school year.

According to new Superintendent Gina Talbert's presentation to the board March 6, even with the layoffs, the 2024-25 spending plan would be 6.87 percent higher than the current budget. Among the biggest increases: special education, insurance and date processing services.

The board meets again Wednesday for its third budget workshop. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at Park Elementary School.

The board is scheduled to approve a finalized spending plan April 10 at its regular meeting.

The 2024-25 budget is due to be adopted by April 26, and voters will go to the polls about it May 21.