WV School board adopts proposed $94.4 million budget

The Warwick Valley School District board held its final budget presentation, once again by teleconference, before adopting the superintendent’s proposed budget on May 18, as members continue maintaining social distancing in this time of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

The administration, anticipating a decrease in aid from New York State, trimmed almost $3.8 million in personnel and other expenses by eliminating 13 full-time teaching positions – mainly through attrition, Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach said.

A full 70 percent of the budget is people, i.e., salaried positions.

“We’re a people business,” Leach said. “All reductions are painful ... we’re trying to minimize the impact on children” and their education.

Three propositions will be on the ballot for voters’ consideration: the budget; purchasing five school buses to replace those that have outlived their useful lifespans; and four candidates for three seats on the school board.

School closures extended; budget vote postponed

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order closing schools through the end of the school year and postponed school board elections and budget votes to June 9.

Due to the pandemic, there will be no in-person voting this year. The district will mail absentee ballots to registered voters; completed ballots must be signed and mailed back and received by the district no later than Tuesday, June 9, at 5 p.m.

The proposed budget less than current one

The current school budget is $95,089,284; the proposed budget for 2020-21 is $94,440,394. The budget, adopted by the school board in anticipation of next month’s vote, shrinks spending across the board by $649,000, or 0.68 percent from the current year.

According to Leach: “This is the first such budget decrease in 22 years.”

“Measures we’re taking right now are extraordinary,” the superintendent added, given the unknowns.

The school tax levy for the current (2019-20) school year is $62,506,673. The tax levy increase for the proposed budget is increased by a “modest” 2.6 percent – below the state-mandated cap of 2.87 percent. Given that the tax levy is below the allowable limit for the fifth year, Leach said that the burden to local taxpayers has been reduced “significantly.”

NY State aid cuts: planning for a ‘rainy day’

Although the district has not yet received specifics from Albany, Leach said the administration is anticipating New York State Aid to decrease by nearly $3 million.

Federal assistance may be forthcoming, he said, but “New York is not alone” in its need for aid, and it’s difficult to know how much to expect – or when to expect it.

Leach said the district will draw on its fund balance reserves of nearly $2.4 million as its “rainy day fund” to make up some of the revenue shortfall.

Adding to the challenge

There will now be three assessment periods during the year: April 1-30; May 1-June 30; July 1-Dec. 21.

If revenues come in below budget under this new rule, Albany can reduce allocations, making it more difficult to plan school budgets, Leach said.

Leach said that his administration is working to balance making the necessary cuts with “the least impact on students.”

Alternative celebrations for the senior class

As it’s hard to know when social distancing measures enacted for public safety may be lifted, the BOE is exploring a number of alternative options to traditional senior year activities.

“We’re trying to make it as special as we can ... and think outside of the box ... to honor traditions,” but still follow current government health guidelines.

June 27 is still the target date for graduation (rain date: June 28), but for health and safety reasons, the district may push it back to July 31 (Aug. 1 rain date).

“We’re holding out hope,” Leach added, “We’re trying to have a traditional ceremony.”

Other ideas for honoring the Class of 2020:

A ‘virtual celebration’ at the Warwick Drive-In on June 25;

* Senior awards ceremony on May 27

* ‘Friday Night Lights,’ every Friday at 8 p.m. until graduation

* Warwick Senior banners with photos of each grad on display

* Virtual Science Symposium

* Virtual chair auction

Leach thanked Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton for permitting the Seniors’ pictures to be posted around town, as well as the storefront decorating.

WV School Board president Sharon Davis thanked Leach for his efforts: “We’re really thankful you’re at the helm.” Davis added her thanks to the broader community for its support.

Looking ahead

In a couple of weeks, Leach said, the administration’s focus will be shifting to a task force and subcommittees, as the district plans for managing uncertainties in the coming school year.