In alignment with the Board of Education's goal to enhance communication with the community, Garden City Public Schools continues its "Question of the Week" feature to provide information and address concerns of Village residents. The initial questions will be devoted to examining aspects of the new tax levy cap that have been posed to the Board and administration over the past several weeks. A complete listing of questions and answers to date is posted on the district's website: www.gardencity.k12.ny.us.

Below is this week's question and answer:

Question of the Week: What are some common misconceptions about the tax cap?

Albany has highlighted selective key points about the new "2% tax levy cap" in its publicity of the legislation. However, many aspects of the new regulations school districts must follow have been left without broad coverage or explanation in the media. In fact, some areas of the legislation, such as the areas of "adjustments" and "exclusions," have yet to be fully defined by the Office of the State Comptroller. As a result, assumptions and misconceptions have surfaced.

For example, the new tax levy cap is NOT:

• A limit on the tax increase in dollars that an individual property owner might pay (A property owner's tax rate will vary according to changes in the property owner's assessment.)

• A limit on assessment changes (Property assessments in Nassau County are determined by the County Assessor's Office.)

• A direct control on the tax rate (A property owner's tax rate is separate and apart from the "tax levy limit" - the aggregate tax levy a school district can raise through property taxes charged on the school district's taxable total assessed value of property.)

• An end to voting on school budgets (Budget Vote Day is May 15, 2012.)

• A 2% cap on property tax increases or any tax increase (Allowable "exclusions" and "adjustments" permit districts to present budget percentage increases above 2% and still be in compliance with the law; if approved by a "supermajority" of voters, any school district in the State can override its "tax levy limit.")

• A one-year issue (As illustrated below, if Garden City had a tax cap in place since the 2006-2007 school year, over $20 million dollars less would have been available for the district's educational program.)

• An effective way to control costs and ensure high quality (Local control has been the way school districts have operated. Members of the board of education are elected to serve as representatives of the community. The annual school budget is voted on by a school district's constituency. These measures were enacted to provide effective cost and quality checks and balances at the local level.)

The Board of Education supports tax relief and diligently works to seek out meaningful efficiencies while preserving the values and goals of the mission statement of Garden City Public Schools.

The district encourages residents to become involved in the budget process by attending the Board of Education's budget meetings:

Tuesday, February 7, 2012: Regular Work Session and Budget Work Session #1 - Overview of the Superintendent's Budget and Revenues

Tuesday, February 14, 2012: Regular Board Meeting and Budget Work Session #2 - All Non-Instructional areas/Administrative and Capital Components

Tuesday, February 28, 2012: Budget Work Session #3 - Instructional Components

Tuesday, March 6, 2012: Budget Work Session #4 - Instructional Components/Wrap Up

Tuesday, March 20, 2012: Regular Board Meeting - Final Adjustments and Refinements, if needed

Tuesday, April 3, 2012: Additional Budget Review and Discussion, if needed

Tuesday, April 17, 2012: Regular Board Meeting - Adoption of District Budget and BOCES Budget

Tuesday, May 8, 2012: Budget Hearing

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - Budget Vote