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West Babylon Taxpayers and school district work together in formulating new budget The West Babylon School District budget process is moving forward, and the district outlined the fifth draft summary, showing a proposed budget for the coming year of $89.7 million. While school officials said the figure is likely to be reduced as the board continues to review line items, and as state aid figures firm up, the proposal represents an increase in spending of $5.4 million, year to year. "The most recent news from Albany is that we should be getting some more money back," said Mark Flowers, the district's assistant superintendent. "We anticipate another $700,000 to $750,000 more." Superintendent of Schools Anthony Cacciolla said that the new spending plan maintains the current level of staff and services. Two additional positions have been added, however, one for a computer tech and the other for an athletic assistant. The fifth draft eliminated approximately $375,000 from the previous draft, cutting the amount going into the teachers' retirement system by $224,562 due to information the district received about four retirements. It also eliminated the purchase of a GPS for $25,000 and placed a freeze on materials and supplies of $127,564. Additionally, the district increased the amount it expects to roll over from the appropriated fund balance contribution this year, adding another half million dollars, which reduced the tax levy. The district also hired a consultant, Management Advisory Group of New York. The company reviewed the district's state-aid claims, and came up with an additional $244,000 in monies due West Babylon for the 2008-09 school year. The firm gets 15 percent of that figure or $36,600. The West Babylon Taxpayers Association (WBTA) has taken an aggressive role in monitoring the budget process, holding informational hearings for residents and calling on the district to reign in spending. Representatives of the WBTA met with school officials this week and said that they are optimistic "that we are going to reach an agreement," said William Hill, WBTA president. "The state is likely to come up with additional funding for West Babylon this year and this, combined with other changes, should enable the district to come in with an increase that is close to the 4 percent cap being proposed in Albany," said Hill. "We are looking at an increase that will be close to the CPI and we appreciate the district working with us on this issue." Hill said that he would also suggest that the district form a committee to review the district's spending, separating the essential academics and state mandated services from all the others the district offers-the "wants" and "needs", as he termed it. "It is important that we understand the difference between the services we are required to provide and those that we want to provide," said Hill. "Then we can make more intelligent choices as residents and taxpayers."
The next school board meeting is April 29, 7:15 p.m. The board goes immediately into executive session and reconvenes at approximately 8 p.m. The district website is www.westbabylon.k-12.ny.us
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