School Board adopts 2011-2012 Budget
At the April 7th Board meeting the board voted to approve the 2011-2012 budget. The tax levy increase will be 2.37%. This marks the 4th consecutive year that the levy has been 2.5% or less. More importantly, the budget keeps ALL curricula, co-curricula and extra curricular programs. In fact, the budget also represents the addition of an elementary world language program, keyboarding in the third grade as well as Algebra for all eighth grade students (in a double period of math at the HS). The budget also includes Capital projects for Hampton and Meadow Drive. Both of those projects total 2.6 million dollars. The 2.1 million for the Hampton project will be take out of the District’s “savings account” (designated fund balance) The savings account is currently one (1) million dollars over the legal limit. Our auditors permitted this overage because of our intention to spend the money this year on capital work related to the re-configuration. If the budget doesn’t pass, the 2.1 million dollars will be used to fund the Capital Reserve Fund. The reserve was voter approved last year as a way for the district to save money instead of using money generated from a Bond. Once monies are committed to a Capital Reserve they cannot be removed without voter approval in a separate vote.
Correction. In my first sentence I meant to say Mr. Manopella’s bio, etc.
I, too, was curious as to the omission of Mr. Campanella’s bio, etc. I then remembered that years ago I was told it was up to the candidates to supply the information to all outlets. As the incumbents have all stated where they stand on the budget and the configuration, via BOE meetings, I am looking forward to both the Williston and Mineola papers as to the new candidates platforms. I’m assuming they have given extensive information to both outlets so as to reach ALL voters so that they can make informed decisions. I confirmed with Mr. Tedesco (please forgive if I have misspelled his name) of the Williston Park newspaper that after Ms. Levitan stated on the dais that she would vote for the budget, she then told him, and he quoted her in his article, that she is not yet sure how she will vote. I think this is something that should be clarified before May 17th.
Dr. Nagler,
With all due respect, posting it on the school’s website will only reach a very small fraction of the thousands of eligible voters in the district. A corrected mailing will reach more people. That assumes your public relations firm now has the information and wishes to effectively distribute it.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to submit a bio and photo. Our public relations firm coordinates the OUTREACH independent of the district. They are available to assist the candidates. The OUTEACH editor tried for 8 consecutive days to obtain the information, She did speak with his wife so contact was made (albeit not with him directly). The original mailing was supposed to be available for Meet the Candidates night. I will see if I can obtain an updated OUTREACH to post on the website.
Today I received the special Outreach distributed by the Mineola School District with information on the candidates running for the two Board of Education seats — or rather 4 of the 5 candidates. Next to Joseph Manopella’s name were the words “PHOTO AND BIO WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF PRINT.” Really? It took me two seconds to Google his name and find a description of his current position as Executive Director at Franklin Hospital (part of North Shore LIJ), his professional background, his educational background and a recent photo. The April 22nd issue of the Williston Times also had an article about both the challengers and the incumbents. I am disappointed that this Outreach, obviously omitting information on one of the challengers, was even printed and mailed out to the community.
There are still 11 days between today and the election on May 17th. In fairness to everyone involved, candidates and voters alike, and to avoid any appearance of bias, please distribute a corrected Outreach with information on ALL the candidates.
You are correct. The superintendent at the time, Bob Ricken, closed Cross Street even though it had 3 more classrooms than Meadow. It was a very contentious decision with a 3-2 Board vote (the deciding vote was Tom DiNapoli’s). In 1988 the Meadow additions were added as well as a new Bus garage.
I would just like to make a correction on a statement in the Budget Edition 2011. The third paragraph of the first column on page one, second sentence reads: “Our school buildings have always been well-maintained and updated, but have never been expanded upon.” We did expand Meadow Drive–a five classroom wing if I remember correctly–back when my boys attended school. This happened when we previously rented Cross Street to the Nassau County Police Academy.
The total reduction of all personnel is 19. Of those 15 will be teachers. The reduction is possible because of two factors. One- we eliminate ‘bad class size numbers”. For example we typically have 200 students per grade but have no control over what school they attend. Therefore one school can have 28 students on a grade while another has 40. The first school would have two teachers with class sizes of 14; the second school would have 2 classes with class sizes of 20. When you put all of the students in the same place you get 68 pupils with 3 teachers and a class size of 23. So you get a reduction of one teacher and still get a manageable class size. The second factor is the ‘economy of scale” we get when moving eight grade into the high school. By placing another grade that is departmentalized (specific teachers for specific subjects) we avoid duplication we had when the 8th grade was in the middle school. We also do not have offer special classes for 8th grade honor students since they can take the same classes with 9th graders.
Dr. Nagler,
I have a question on the budget. Mr. Schumacher of the Finance Committee has stated that the elimination of 19 teaching positions related to closing Cross Street School would save $2.3 million dollars. If there are 19 fewer teachers who will teach the children who will be transferred out of Cross Street?
Thank you,
Bill
I applaud the budget and it’s minimal 2.37% tax levy increase. I applaud the hard work of Terry Hale, Will Hornberger and Chris Napolitano in unity with Dr. Nagler and Jack Waters. My question is, why did John McGrath and Irene Parrino choose to abstain? It certainly wasn’t due to a conflict of interest and I hope it wasn’t a lack of knowledge of the budget. I believe the voters who put them in their positions deserve and should demand a simple up or down vote, especially on an item as important to the district as our budget. By abstaining they have disenfranchised their constituents. What a disgrace.
Great news for anyone who hasn’t heard: Senator Jack Martins has promised personally to support the 2011-2012 MUFSD Educational Plan and Budget. His words, “How can you not support a budget with a 2.33% tax levy in this environment? It’s almost unheard of… I want the best for the District. ”
Additionally, he has just entered this on this Facebook page:
“The school budgets were particularly hard this year. I want to congratulate all the school boards and superintendents who really did their best to put fiscally responsible budgets before voters this May. Among them was the Mineola School District. The superintendent and board has had to make some tough decisions but they did it to preserve the district’s excellent educational program.”
Thanks as always for your support of Mineola District, Jack!
KUDOS to the Administration and the Board for presenting a budget that not only maintains, but actually enhances programs, and still with a tax levy of only 2.37%. I am very happy to see that the promises that the board and administration have made have been kept. THANK YOU!!!