School Budget Still A Work In Progress
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen presented a budget summary at Monday evening's Board of Education work session and emphasized that it is still a "work in progress."

The current proposed overall budget totals $91,077,420, which is 6.68 percent higher than last year. The projected tax levy increase is 6.67 percent. Most comparative Long Island school districts are currently showing a budget increase between six and seven percent.

When Garden City is compared to 11 other districts in Nassau County with residents in a similar income bracket, the majority spend more on administration and less on instruction and pupil personnel. Albert Chase, the district's assistant superintendent for business and finance, explained that the higher percentages of a school budget should be allocated for instruction and pupil personnel.

According to Dr. Feirsen, a budget increase is warranted due to significant increases in fuel costs and surcharges; a double-digit increase in health insurance costs; and increases in retirement costs; BOCES costs; insurance coverage; contractual salaries and related benefits; interest rates; and the Social Security ceiling from $94,200 to $97,500.

Dr. Feirsen highlighted some major components in his budget summary. Under curriculum and instruction, funding has been allocated for the following new courses at the high school: AP World History, Social Science Research, Statistics Through Sports and History of American Art. The district also plans to continue the curriculum review process, provide support for a new math program in grades K through 5, extend the Spanish language program (FLES) to grade 4 and hire a full-time string instrument teacher at the elementary school level.

Enrollment increases necessitate the hiring of one elementary teacher and two high school teachers. The budget included funding for one full-time clerical position for the Guidance Department to help handle the college admission process.

Dr. Feirsen noted that money will be needed for staff development and materials to continue the balanced literacy program in the elementary schools. Staff development will also be needed for "best practices." Implementation of the No Child Left Behind mandates for students in grades 3 through 12 will cost the district money for testing and data analysis. Dr. Feirsen added that the district is committed to maintaining low class sizes and expanding opportunities for high school student enrollment in Honors and AP classes.

More staffing is needed in special education, mostly due to the new federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that was supposed to take effect on Sept. 1 but was postponed by the state until this year. Under the new IDEA, all children in the school district, regardless of their district of residence, will be required to be serviced by whatever school district the private or parochial school is located in. This will mean Garden City will be required to service a significantly larger pool of students. Dr. Feirsen has requested 4.5 positions.

The 2007 budget also includes funding for a social worker at the elementary school level. Dr. Feirsen explained that there is currently no social worker at that level.

After discussions with Nancy Kalafus, district director of physical education and athletics, the department has decided to scale back initial requests. There is now funding in the proposed budget for the hiring of one high school assistant coach for girls' winter track, one high school assistant coach for girls' varsity golf, one middle school assistant football coach and one middle school head coach for boys' volleyball.

In the area of technology, Dr. Feirsen said major initiatives include infrastructure improvements to increase bandwidth, replace switches and routers and upgrade servers. The new student information system will also be initiated. The district also plans to continue the lease-purchase of technology equipment. Dr. Feirsen would also like to see more SMART Boards and projectors for the elementary schools and new music and science software at the secondary level.

Based on the recommendations from a consultant hired by the district to study the issue of transportation, Dr. Feirsen said the 2007 budget includes funding to upgrade software, review contracted transportation and revise routing, assignments and procedures. The district would also like to purchase two buses and one service vehicle.

Major building maintenance projects in the next year include windows and masonry in the high school auxiliary gym, auditorium lights in the high school, playground surfaces at Locust and Homestead, renovation of the middle school locker room, and exterior doors at Stewart, Stratford and the middle school. The following safety initiatives will also be a priority: construction of a lobby entrance at Stewart, the updating of clocks and PA system at Stratford and ID card readers at the entrances of the middle school and elementary schools. Regularly scheduled maintenance of floors and classroom windows, sidewalks and painting is also included in the budget.

A public hearing on the budget will be held on Monday, May 7 at 8:15 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Garden City residents will be able to vote on the budget on Tuesday, May 15 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.