Shoreham-Wading River Schools Face Grim Budgets

Homeowners living in the Shoreham-Wading River School District could see a budget shortfall of more than $3.04 million in the 2012-13 school year, Superintendent Steven Cohen said at a school board meeting Tuesday night.

With a five-year projection through the 2016-17 school year, Cohen told the board of education the grim financial picture; the district could call for use of reserve funds, cost reductions and even elimination of school programs or staff among the district’s five schools.

He explained that his projections were based on the assumption that the district would “rollover” or maintain its current programs, staff and services. But, he said, “maybe we can’t roll it all over. Maybe we’ll have to do less with less.”

“These are tough areas of our political and financial lives that we’re going to have to look at over the coming months,” Cohen said.

Even so, the new property tax cap would allow only a two percent tax levy — an increase of $138.80 a year for a house assessed at $400,000 in Brookhaven or Riverhead towns — unless 60 percent of voters approve a “Super Majority Budget.” Such a budget would allow for higher school property taxes to offset the budget deficit in the district.

Glen Alcuri, director of finance and operations, said he could not project an accurate figure for how much an average taxpayer would pay under this type of budget, since he does not have complete data, such as state and federal aid.

Rich Belsky, president of the Shoreham Civic Association, said he had attended the Long Island Regional Planning Council’s meeting and had learned more about how the economy has affected Long Island residents.

“Taxpayers are at their tipping point,” Belsky told the Board. “You cannot tax them anymore. The way we look at business has to change…We’re going to have to make some tough choices.”

The 2012-13 budget, which is estimated to be approximately $63.42 million, would be offset by a fund balance of $750,000 and $800,000 in projected year state aid carried over from this year. With an additional $125,113 in reserves and forecasted revenue of more than $60 million, that still leaves a projected budget gap of $3.043 million, Cohen said.

By the 2015-16 school year, that gap will reach $7.261 million, and $8.56 million for the following year, Cohen said.

Board Trustee Michael Fucito pointed out that the 2011-12 state aid, which was promised last year, has yet to arrive in the school district’s hands. He indicated that the school board and the community should not depend on the state or federal governments for help.

Committee to Explore Sharing Resources

After hearing the grim news, Board Member John Zukowski proposed creating a “Consolidation Committee” that would explore sharing services and programs with neighboring school districts, such as Rocky Point and Miller Place.

“I know these rocks have been looked under but I think it’s time to look at them again,” he said. “We need to pool our needs and resources, tie in our functions.”

The school board approved the committee 4-0 (members Leo Greeley, Marie Lindell and Richard Pluschau were absent). The board also renamed it the “Shared Services Committee,” as suggested by Alcuri.

Board President William McGrath called on the community to participate
by joining the committee. Online forms to apply for membership are available on the district website.