Schools

Wantagh's 2013/14 School Budget Proposal Adopted

Proposed spending plan is well below state tax cap and would add full-day kindergarten program.

The Wantagh Board of Education adopted a 2013/14 budget proposal Thursday night that is well below the state tax cap and if approved will give the district a full-day kindergarten program for the first time.

The proposed $74.2 million spending plan that voters will decide on May 21 is a 3.4 percent increase over the district’s current 2012/13 budget. The tax levy increase is 2.79 percent. The district was permitted to raise its tax levy, which represents the percentage of the budget that must be raised in taxes in order to meet expenses, by 3.71 percent under a new state tax cap law approved two years ago by Albany lawmakers.

Despite only a small increase, the budget plan includes no programmatic cuts and also includes funding for expanding to a full-day kindergarten. The district is receiving $554,580 from the state for the first year of the full-day kindergarten program.

Maureen Goldberg, who at Thursday’s school board meeting was approved as Wantagh’s new superintendent after serving in the position in an acting role for seven months, recommended the addition of a full-day kindergarten program in December. Wantagh Board of Education President Michael Cucci credited Goldberg during Thursday’s meeting for helping the district put forth a fiscally sound budget. 

“Due to the leadership of Maureen Goldberg, the proposed budget assures the continued smooth operation of the Wantagh School District,” Cucci said.

A budget hearing is scheduled for May 8 immediately following the 8 p.m. board of education meeting in the Wantagh High School Auditorium. The public vote on the spending plan will take place May 21.


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