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WI voters asked to okay $99M budget May 20 West Islip School District voters will head to the polls May 20 to vote on a $99,697,309, which is $1,845,167 more than last years $97,852,142. That's a budget-to-budget increase of 1.89 percent. That spending plan will result in an increase of the tax levy increase, that portion of the school budget paid for by property taxes, of 3.28 percent, compared to last years increase of 4.30 percent. Once again the district will move directly to a contingency spending plan, should voters defeat the proposal. That plan, however, is higher with a budget of $101,139,974. That represents a 3.69 percent budget-to-budget increase at and a 5.82 percent taxlevy increase. Homes in West Islip are assessed at full value and currently have a tax rate of $14.06 per $100. The proposed rate under an approved budget would be $14.52 per $100. Driving up this year's budget in West Islip, as well as all other school districts are costs associated with state mandates, employee benefits, transportation, and energy. Salaries will increase to $56,454,243, or 4.85 percent from last year's $53,857,305. But the district is quick to point out that its pay scale is between the lowest and medium on Long Island. The salaries include 800 employees, which includes teachers, food service workers, clerical and custodial staff. Including benefits, social security and retirement, the district's lines for compensation will come to $76,633,929. Other new initiatives include plans to install new playgrounds for Oquenock and Bayview, a geography club for each school and the addition of foreign language classes. The district is also committed to retaining small class sizes and will add a special class for autistic students for grades three through five. No new hiring is expected except for the addition of a new volleyball coach per school, and a receptionist for Joseph Stern, the superintendent for elementary instruction. This district expects to receive $32,482,904 in state aid this year compared to $31,346,840. State Aid makes up 31 percent of the budget. But the district also looked closely at some costsaving measures and reduced staff by eliminating six elementary school teaching positions as a result of lower enrollment. According to the district, this would save them $221,537 in both salaries and benefits, as three of the teachers would be used elsewhere, two are retiring and one has quit. Additionally, plans to get new computers at the high school were scrapped. In the school board elections, incumbent Sharon Bieselin is being opposed by John Gedney and incumbent Barbara Heine is facing a challenge from Robert Ulrich.
There will be a public presentation on the budget at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 at the Beach Street School and the budget and trustee vote will be held Tuesday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the West Islip High School.
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