Lynbrook Schools Eye 2.81 Percent Increase in Property Tax Levy

In its first draft of the 2011-12 budget, the Lynbrook School District administration is proposing a spending plan with no teacher layoffs or program cuts, and with a property tax levy increase of 2.81 percent increase.

"Probably the lowest budget that I've put together in the last 10 years," said Melissa Burak, the district's assistant superintendent for business. "We have worked very hard … we have kept the finances intact as much as we could. We have the ability in the community to pay to support the education that we have for our students. We're keeping that all in mind."

At Wednesday's budget workshop session at Lynbrook High School, Burak detailed the administrative portion of the budget. Many of the spending increases are due to unfunded mandates, such as the Nassau County Water Usage Fee ($43,600), a shifting of the county's cost of special education services to school districts ($414,544), and increases in benefits ($1.4 million). Those three alone represent approximately $2 million in costs that the district must pay for. And at the same time the district is paying more, school aid from Albany is being reduced.

Administrative salaries have increased in total by $397,905. Administrative departments — the superintendent's office, Burak's office, and the department of curriculum, personnel and student support services — all decreased their budgets for 2011-12.

But even though the district has proposed a conservative spending plan for 2011-12, it still may find itself backed into a corner if is made law. The legislation would require school districts to cap their tax levy increases at two percent unless 60 percent of the voting public approves a higher percentage increase.

The Lynbrook community has approved district budgets with larger year-to-year spending increases with 60 percent of the vote several times over the past decade, so it appears likely that the district would try to pass a budget slightly over the two-percent cap. To stay under that cap would likely have a negative impact on Lynbrook schools, officials say.

"With the reduction of state aid, it is impossible for us to match that two-percent cap without seriously hurting our district," Burak said.

The next budget workshop session is March 2. The capital budget and special programs will be discussed.