BUdget 2009-2010

[patriot2415]

Hi everyone.

I have been traveling a lot and have not attended any BOE meeting in a while. What is the latest on the budget? Seems to be very quiet !

[honebee]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing too. I've been out of town for awhile and the deafening silence is disturbing.

[Go Plainedge!]

As printed in Newsday....

VOTING

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Plainedge High School

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $74,366,252 in 2009-10, up 3.54 percent from the current $71,820,536. The local tax levy would be $54,254,541, an increase of 3.40 percent over the current $52,468,734.


The average home valued at $460,000 would pay an average of $7,940 in school taxes, an estimated increase of 4.46 percent from the current $7,601.

The proposed budget includes a 4 percent contractual salary increase for teachers. The district will eliminate six teachers, one custodian, one clerical position and a benefits administrator.

Plainedge also will add a new enhanced enrichment program, new high school electives and additional special-education programs.

There is a referendum on the budget for a high school locker room renovation project that will be financed through state EXCEL funds and budget aid. There would be no additional cost to taxpayers.

District Web site: plainedgeschools.org/district

THE CANDIDATES

Dennis Gustafson, Mary Lowe, Anne Weeks and incumbent Maryann Capone are running for three seats with three-year terms. Allan Fox and Frank Presuto are not seeking re-election.

Maryann Capone

BACKGROUND: Capone, 56, is a certified financial planner and adjunct instructor at Molloy College. A widow, she has one child who attends a district middle school. Capone, who has lived in the district 31 years, received a bachelor's degree in education from Queens College and a master's degree in accounting from St. John's University.

ISSUES: Capone said the most critical issue is the question of how to continue promoting educational excellence while considering the financial struggles of those who live in the community. She said it would be her responsibility to curtail tax increases that would ultimately drive people from their homes. In her tenure as a board member, Capone said, she helped promote transparency in the budget process, something she hopes to continue. She added she would be fiscally vigilant and would use her training and corporate accounting experience to the benefit of the district.

Dennis Gustafson

BACKGROUND: Gustafson, 42, has lived in the district 13 years. He and his wife, Lynn, have three children, two of whom attend district schools and one who will begin at a district elementary school in September. Gustafson is an operation finance manager and corporate insurance broker. He received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Stony Brook University.

ISSUES: Gustafson said the most important issue is the lack of financial experience and budget management on the current board. He said his expertise would be beneficial to a district facing an economic crunch. Gustafson said that although holding the budget increase to 3.54 percent was a job well done, he feels he can improve on that by taking advantage of every savings opportunity available. Specifically, he hopes to apply more accountability to individuals who are responsible for each cost center. If the economy continues to sour, he added, the district will suffer and programs will be cut severely. Gustafson said his experience will be integral in stopping the financial bleeding.

Mary Lowe

BACKGROUND: Lowe, 44, is a 12-year resident of the district and a retired city worker. She is currently a stay-at-home mother. She and her husband, Thomas, have two children, one of whom attends a school in the district. Lowe has a bachelor's degree in management and human resources from St. Joseph's College.

ISSUES: Lowe said the most important issue is the country's economic climate and continuing Plainedge's academic progress while cutting costs. The way to do this, Lowe said, is to pinch every penny and cut unnecessary expenditures. She added the district has recently exercised greater caution in spending and she would like to continue that trend. To provide well-rounded and exceptional education at low cost, she said, it will be necessary to pursue creative solutions and pay great attention to detail to make sure no money is slipping through the cracks.

Anne Weeks

BACKGROUND: Weeks, 50, director of provider relations for Healthplex, has lived in the district 12 years. She has three children - a college student who graduated from district schools and two children currently in district public schools. She received an associate degree from Nassau Community College and a bachelor's degree with a double major in political science and Spanish from Ithaca University.

ISSUES: Weeks said one of the top issues is the high tax levy imposed on residents, as Plainedge lacks the commercial tax base of other districts. She said she hopes to counteract this by lobbying for more state aid and fostering communication within the school district. She said she wants to work with the district, board members and community to help balance the cost of education with protecting co-curricular activities. Weeks, who said she was eager to have a part in upcoming teacher contract negotiations, said she supports drug and alcohol prevention programs and encourages increased parental involvement.

It appears that 3 of the 4 candidates will be voted in. Please choose the ones that you feel will offer the most experience based on their background and knowledge. Please don't vote for someone just because you know them. You're better off not voting at all.


It seems like some inconsistency in information between Newsday and the school.

Newsday - Tax levy = 4.46%
School - Tax Levy = 3.40%