Schools

Seaford School Board Adopts 2013/14 Budget Proposal

Spending plan would represent a 4.58 percent increase from district's current budget.


A budget proposal that stays within the state's tax cap but also includes deep cuts at the middle school level is headed to Seaford voters.

The Seaford Board of Education adopted a proposed $60.4 million budget at its Wednesday night meeting. The spending plan represents a 4.58 percent increase from the district's current 2012/13 budget. The tax levy increase of 3.59 percent is the maximum the district was allowed under new tax rules that were approved by Albany lawmakers two years ago.

Seaford entered the 2013/14 budget process needing to plug a $2.3 million shortfall caused by the tax cap rules and a 2 percent drop in state aid. A major cut in the budget proposal is reducing Seaford Middle School to an eight period day, which saves the district $962,378 by slashing 8.8 full-time equivalent teaching positions.

For the third straight year, only one season of Seaford Middle School athletics will be funded with winter sports getting the financial support in 2013/14. An intramural program will be included in the budget for the fall and spring seasons should the budget get approved by voters.  

“Our state aid was cut two percent and most [districts] saw an increase of four to five percent throughout the state” said Seaford Superintendent Brian Conboy during Thursday’s school board meeting held at Seaford Manor School. “The funding formulas, the tax cap, led to a very challenging budget season.”

During the public comments portion of Thursday's meeting, some Seaford residents expressed frustration at the decision to reduce the middle school to an eight period day, which will limit elective options for students. 

"The cuts that you are proposing will devastate our children," said Marion Delgiudice, a longtime reading teacher in the Seaford School District. 

"You just gutted the middle school," said parent Roberta Grogan. 

A budget hearing is planned for May 9 at Seaford High School at 7:30 p.m. Voting on Seaford's 2013/14 budget plan is scheduled for May 21 at Seaford Manor School and Seaford Harbor School.


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