Pearl River School Board Adopts Budget

The Pearl River Board of Education adopted the proposed 2013-14 budget at Tuesday's meeting at the disrict administration building. 

The $52 million budget calls for a 1.68 percent tax increase for homeowners in Pearl River, 6.03 % for businesses. The tax levy increase is 3.5%, but that stays within the state mandated cap due to the exceptions built in.

"The (exclusion) with the greatest impact this year, which led significantly to the extra levy for us, was the impact of the teacher's retirement system contributions," Pearl River Director of Operations Quinton Van Wynen said. 

Pearl River entered the budget process facing a projected $1.7 million deficit, so the initial proposed budget March 19 called for the elimination of 17.7 full time positions, the consolidation of athletic programs, reduction of overtime and the use of $400,000 in reserves.

That changed when the as part of its final 2013-14 budget, allowing Pearl River to reduce the number of positions being eliminated to 9.6.

"We were able to recapture eight positions, but we will still eliminate 9.6 full time positions to eliminate the deficit," Van Wynen said. 

The budget adopted Tuesday included no changes from what had been presented in the meetings leading up to it and aside from one clarification, there were no questions from the public.

The one clarification dealt with the mandate from the state for districts to have enough computers available to do all state testing online within the next two years. That led to an increase in funding for technology in the 2013-14 budget.

It is not clear yet what type of computers the district will need. Laptops would require wireless access for a very large number of users at the same time, but desktops would create additional expense in wiring.

"We know the changes are coming, so we need to have the funds," Van Wynen said. 

There will be a public budget hearing May 7. The 2013-14 budget will be on the ballot May 21 along with elections for two seats on the board of education, but incumbents Michael Clohessy and Rob Davis will be running unoppposed for those. 

"Now you don't have to see those (campaign) signs," Clohessy said.

Pearl River Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano stressed the importance of the community coming out to vote for the budget.

"If the budget does not pass and we have to use last year's levy, we'll be short another million dollars or so," Morgano said. "Don't assume it will pass. Let's get everybody out to vote."