Seaford School Officials Explain Proposed Budget in Letter to Residents

The following letter was sent residents in the Seaford School District by the Seaford Board of Education. 

Dear Seaford Resident,
The Board of Education and administration of the Seaford School District remain steadfast in the mission to provide our students with the best education possible in the most difficult fiscal times in recent memory. We continue to operate under the constraints of New York State’s tax levy limit. Adding to this challenge we were one of the few districts in all of New York State to receive a reduction in state aid of approximately $300,000 for the 2013-2014 school year. In the face of these challenges we planned a proposed operating budget that continues to provide all of our students an educational experience that is rich and valuable leading them toward the New York State goal of being college and career ready at the time of graduation. Again we will accomplish this with an eye toward the long-term fiscal health of the district.

In light of the still sluggish economy as well as the reality that several of our families continue to struggle in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Board and administration decided to work within the confines of the tax levy limit. Using the New York State formula for calculating the tax levy limit Seaford’s tax levy increase is 3.59 percent. This percentage is in line with many Long Island school districts. One of the most common questions that comes up is “How will this impact my taxes for next year?” If all assessments remain the same as the current year, your taxes will increase 3.59 percent, however, the Seaford School District does not control the assessed value of an individual’s home, Nassau County does. Therefore, the actual dollar amount change in your taxes is based upon three factors, the tax levy, your individual assessed valuation, and that of the rest of the school district.

The Board successfully negotiated a settlement with the United Teachers of Seaford which includes a full salary freeze for 2013-2014. This will enable the district to preserve the academic programs currently in place and remain within the tax levy limit.

The goals of the Board and administration for the 2013-2014 school year are:·   

• Implement the 2013-2014 budget with an emphasis on fiscal responsibility and long term economic planning.
  
• Preserve the current elementary school program including full-day kindergarten.
• Preserve the nine-period instructional day at Seaford Middle School.
• Provide funds for additional extra-curricular opportunities for students throughout the district.·   
• Preserve the high school academic program including Advanced Placement and college-level courses.
• Implement year two of the district’s technology plan which will bring much-needed new computer technology to the students in the Harbor and Manor Schools.
• Provide athletic opportunities at the high school with junior varsity and varsity sports, and at the middle school, Winter I and Winter II seasons. Intramural athletics will be available for students in the fall and spring at the middle school.
• Increase the security presence in all schools.
  

Please check the district website at www.seaford.k12.ny.us for additional budget related information.

Yours in Seaford Pride,

• Brian W. Fagan, President                                
• Richard G. DiBlasio, Vice President                                                                               
• Bruce Kahn, Trustee
• Susan Ruona, Trustee
• Jeanmarie Wink, Trustee 
• Brian Conboy, Superintendent
• John A. Striffolino, Assistant Superintendent
• Alan S. Phillips, Interim Assistant Superintendent