Finalization of Lindy School Budget Postponed

The saga of the Lindenhurst school budget process continued last night as the Board of Education announced its decision to postpone finalizing the 2011-12 school budget.

The BOE did not say when it would reschedule, but would alert the community when it does.

The board was prepared to stay on schedule at last night’s workshop until it received word from Albany how much state aid it was receiving – a little more than $800,000 compared to the $3.1 million in lost state aid Lindenhurst was facing.

This restoration of aid followed the $132.5 billion budget deal the state legislature announced Monday. The deal included an additional $272 million in education funding.

The other factor compelling the BOE to postpone finalization was its contract talks with the Teachers’ Association of Lindenhurst – one of five employee units currently in negotiations.

At last week’s meeting TAL President Rose Russo and after what appeared to be public contract negotiations by BOE President Ed Murphy, Jr. when he openly said taking a true zero on the part of the teachers would help maintain at-risk programs and jobs.

This week, things weren’t as dramatic, but Murphy more cautiously alluded to the negotiations.

“We cannot control the situation we are in. We know what the state aid is. We know what our expenditures are,” said Murphy, who paused before adding cautiously, “There may be one other factor that could help us.”

He later said: “It appears with the way things are right now, we will have to cut programs. But we are very hopeful things can take place that will help us not cut the programs.”

Following the meeting Russo was just as cautious: “We’re talking. As Mr. Murphy says, we’re talking.”

And Murphy said after the workshop: “We are hopeful negotiations will be producing something soon. We postponed in hopes we don’t have to cut phases two through five. And if we cut all of them, including full-day kindergarten, the tax levy will still be at four percent.”

Murphy referenced the laid out at last week’s workshop. The plan includes last year’s decision to close E.W. Bower elementary school this year. Also at risk are 10-plus programs, such as the ALC, JROTC, the dance ensemble, the media program, full-day kindergarten and numerous teaching jobs.

Without cutting all five phases, Murphy said the tax levy would be eight percent. Eight is too high, the BOE feels, but it’s just as nervous about four percent because the community may not be able to afford that either – as it’s told the BOE throughout the budget process this year.

Students, parents and teachers who’d be affected by the cuts have also urged the board against the cuts.

The small amount of restored aid makes the board nervous, as well.

“We’re pleased we received some aid back – a little more than $800,000 – but we’re still taking a $6 million cut over the last two years. It’s hurting our schools. It’s hurting our kids,” Superintendent Nathan told Patch after the workshop.

“We ended up with around $814,000, plus another $200,000, a little over that, from the restoration of the summer school/special education funding,” BOE Member Ray Doran told Patch after the workshop.

The $200,000-plus Doran referenced comes from the portion of restored aid that gives districts back funding for schools for the blind and deaf (4201) and summer school special education.

Without it, Lindenhurst, like many other districts, would’ve had to pay for students going to the several 4201 schools on the island. Now they’ll have to pay, but will be reimbursed, according to State Assemblyman Robert Sweeney.

“We also did away with some cost shifts which would’ve added to the districts’ expenditures, and that means a lot for Lindenhurst,” Sweeney told Patch today. “In fact, the Lindenhurst Superintendent told me that it would’ve cost them more than $300,000 for summer school without them.”

The assemblyman said the state legislature is pleased to be able to restore some aid.

“We realize the districts are not all that happy, but, in the case of Lindenhurst, with a little over $1 million back, that’s a pretty good number,” he said.

Sweeney also indicated that the legislature did a two-year education budget.

“It’ll give schools across the state at least $800 million back in aid next year. If we do better, then it’ll be more,” he explained. “That way Lindenhurst and other districts could do some planning.”

Also still on the table is the tax cap. Sweeney and reconfirmed today that it’ll definitely be a post-budget issue in Albany.

 “I assume the discussions will start again next week,” said Sweeney, who believes the money set aside for next year would help if the tax cap does materialize.

“Districts were concerned there would be a tax cap and then another cut in state aid,” he said. “But the $800 million would be helpful next year. They can be assured that they’ll get an increase in aid next year over what they got this year.”

Sweeney also noted last week that districts have $1.6 million in federal stimulus money they need to use, and $5 million in reserves. However, Murphy’s maintained that if Lindenhurst used its small reserve, then it’d affect the district’s bond rating and increase the interest rate if it had to borrow money.