Wantagh Superintendent Addresses Potential Future Funding Losses

While the overall state of the Wantagh School District is in strong shape heading into the New Year there are concerns on the horizon in terms of a potential future loss of government funding sources and other rising external costs.

Wantagh Superintendent Dr. Lydia Begley addressed concerns at the Dec. 9 Board of Education meeting at about the uncertainty of how some funding sources Long Island districts have been used to be may changing soon. One major unknown that Dr. Begley addressed during her State of the District Report is the County Guarantee Reform Act passed by the Nassau County Legislature last month. This legislation will require schools, villages, towns and other local municipalities to pay their share of tax certiorari refunds for false assessments once the law takes effect in 2013.

Another recent action by the Nassau County Legislature to add a sewer "usage fee" on non-profit entities like school districts could also present a future challenge for Wantagh, according to Begley.

"Some of this is information that has just not been made available so these are big question marks in our mind," said Dr. Begley referring to the unknown of how changes at the county level will impact Wantagh and how of much of a reserve fund may need to be established as a result. "These are questions that e follow on a day to day basis."

Another obstacle Dr. Begley pointed out that may soon impact school districts is a proposed property tax cap being debated by the state legislature. Districts like Wantagh are also faced with increasing costs in employee benefits, health insurance and a new MTA tax as well as a loss of both state and federal funding, said Begley.

Despite future financial obstacles being faced from outside factors Dr. Begley is optimistic where Wantagh is headed in achieving instructional goals while at the same time being fiscally responsible. "We need to maintain a fiscally responsible budget that supports student learning in increasingly financially challenging times," said Begley.

The Dec. 9 Wantagh Board of Education meeting was attended by Nassau County Legis. Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, who commented during Dr. Begley's presentation on how impressed he is with the district.

"The accomplishment in Wantagh with one of the lowest tax rates and one of the lowest spending per pupil as it works out gives you the best bang for the buck," said Denenberg, who has helped provide the district with recent legislative grants to install new playground equipment and smart boards. "Wantagh is certainly second to none so keep up the great work."