Wantagh School Board Planning Budget Below Tax Cap

Thanks in large part to a restoration of $611,000 in high tax aid previously cut in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive budget, the Wantagh school board is targeting a 2013/14 spending plan that is well below the district's maximum allowable tax levy increase. 

During a budget workshop meeting held Wednesday night, Wantagh Assistant Superintendent for Business Dana DiCapua said the district is looking at a 2.79 percent tax levy increase for next year and a 3.4 percent overall jump. When factoring in required payments to the Teacher's Retirement System, Wantagh is permitted a 3.71 percent tax levy increase next year under the state's new tax cap law. The tax levy represents the percentage of the budget that must be raised in taxes in order to meet expenses. 

"Not only was the board really very, very committed to keeping the budget within the tax cap, but with the restoration of aid they really went full force ahead," said DiCapua during Wednesday's workshop held at Wantagh High School. "We want to really try to decrease the burden as much as we can for our taxpayers." 

Despite the small increase to the budget, no programmatic cuts are planned, according to district officials. The budget would also include funding for expanding to a full-day kindergarten, which includes $554,580 from the state for the first year of the program.

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At a March 18 workshop meeting, some parents expressed concerns about the budget not including funding for a part-time nurse at Wantagh Elementary School, but on Wednesday night, Acting Superintendent Maureen Goldberg said that position has been added in to the spending plan.  

Goldberg pointed out Wednesday some cuts in the planned budget based on declining enrollment at the elementary school level including two social workers and two computer mentors. She said six sections are being cut in the elementary schools next year due to a large dropoff in students. 

"These are very, very difficult cuts," Goldberg said. "They were done with thought but some concern." 

The next budget workshop is scheduled for April 9 at 10 a.m. in the Wantagh Public Library. The Wantagh Board of Education is scheduled to adopt its 2013/14 budget proposal on April 18. The public vote on the spending plan will take place May 21.