School District Hopes To Maintain Existing Instructional Programs

The Rocky Point School District held a budget workshop to give residents a glance at what they can expect this year in terms of the 2014-15 budget. The district said it would like to maintain all of it's current programs, add new ways for students to succeed, continue all athletic and co-curricular activities currently being offered, while staying within the confines of a tax levy cap.

According to the budget presentation there will be additional staff added. "This proposed budget includes an additional 1.20 instructional FTE to support expanded elective course offerings at Rocky Point High School, as well as an additional 0.5 instructional FTE to accommodate additional sections of performing arts lessons at RPHS and RPMS." 

In addition the district plans on increasing security personnel: 2 full-time and 2 part-time security guard and making staffing changes dictated by the Committee on Special Education. 

Although a final budget number was not presented, the district did go over various departments showing it's 2014-15 estimations. The list of estimations with comparison to last years budget is below:

• General Administration - $2,549,697 (0.66% increase)*
• Transportation - $4,654,245 (1.88% increase)
• Building and Grounds - $2,055,330 (7.23% increase)
• Benefits - $16,906,042 (5.80% increase)
• Personnel - $35,967,253 (3.49% increase)
• Library and Technology - $468,861 (2.39% increase)
• Debt Services - $3,531,881 (4.62% decrease)