Residents and administrators for the West Babylon School District had a lively discussion last week as the district outlined its latest spending proposal for the 2009-10 school year. Superintendent of Schools Anthony Cacciola called the proposal "a work in progress," while residents tried to impress upon the district that times were tough, and the community was hurting.

Thelatest district proposal is calling for a $2.6 million increase in spending over the current budget of $92.3 million. Thatis a 2.94 percent increase in spending and would result in a tax rate increase of $6.15 or 3.9 percent over the current rate of $157. Theproposed budget is also the same as a contingent budget would be if the district were forced to go on austerity, said officials.

While these figures are likely to undergo additional discussion and could change as state aid figures are announced, at this rate a home in West Babylon valued at $4,000 would pay an additional $246 a year in school taxes, or an additional $20.50 per month.

Additional state aid above the $30.65 million that is currently being used to formulate the budget could result in a lower tax rate, while less state aid could drive up that rate when the tax levy is set in the fall. Cacciolla made a commitment, however, to continue a practice in the district of setting the tax levy that will maintain the tax rate presented to voters in the school board and budget elections slated for May 19.

Cacciola said that while the Governor's recent announcement that an initial proposal to cut aid was being scrapped and that the federal stimulus package would enable the state maintain school aid at the 2008- 09 levels, "this is no cause for celebration."

"We initially were supposed to get a 3 percent increase every year," said Cacciola. "And we continue to get mandated expenses such as the new MTA salary tax that could cost us another $160,000 next year," he said.

Despite that, he and the District's Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Mark Flower, said administrators, working with the community, have and will continue to do everything possible to reduce the impact on taxpayers.

"Many of us also live in West Babylon and others who may not live here are also cognizant of the fact that an increase in the tax rate hurts people," said Flower. "We spend a lot of time to make sure that this budget has increases only where critical, or for contractual increases. If we were frivolous there are a lot of other things we cold be spending money on."

The new spending plan does not include money for any new equipment. The only new equipment expense will be to lease four new buses at a cost of approximately $47,000 a year. Those costs would be offset, however, by a $106,000 saving in transportation expenses as the district moves to bring some contracted services in-house.

Additionally, it slightly raises the average class size in the district from 20.9 students to 22 students. Funding for board of education conferences was reduced and the district saved some money from the adult education line. In addition the district will be paying off bonds at an annual savings next year of $744,000. The total debt service will go from $4.5 million to $3.9 million. Cacciolla cautioned, however, that next year, when the district must refinance its short-term borrowing to longterm borrowing, that this figure will again increase.

The issue that brought most of the discussion at the final budget meeting before April's budget hearing was the issue of the new 9-period-day for the high school. Theadditional period is being added at a cost of $592,000 for the 34-45 new sections required for the change.

Resident William Hill of the West Babylon Taxpayers Association said that the district should consider putting that issue to the voters as a separate proposition, particularly since it has not received a lot of public exposure. "I don't believe that the people in West Babylon know what is going on with regard to this proposal," said Hill who added that a recent presentation did not explain it enough nor provide enough detail to the public. "People should have the opportunity to know about it and tell you if they want to spend that kind of money to implement it," Hill told Cacciola.

The Superintendent responded that the idea would be discussed but that he was concerned about "A-La- Carte" education.

"Where do we stop with something like this?" he asked Hill. "Should we set up separate propositions for sports and music? I think that divides a community and I am uncomfortable with it."

"Now is the not the time for a 9-period-day," said James Bocca, a former school board trustee. "Not when houses in this community are in foreclosure and people are losing their jobs."

"I would suggest that this is the perfect time because of the reduction in debt service we are experiencing this year," said Cacciola. "If we don't do it now, it is not going to happen in my lifetime."

School officials defended the plan, saying it was important to students' education. Now, students who want to take a ninth period for either enrichment or tutorials give up a lunch period.

"Currently, we can't provide students remedial help in an 8-period day and still give them lunch," said High School Principal Ellice Vassallo. "So, they are forced to choose between lunch and these classes."

A teacher said many students head to the cafeteria first to grab something to eat and then come into class late as a result. Thisis lost classroom time for them and often the teacher has to go back over information he or she already presented, said the teacher.

But any new initiative that adds to the budget's bottom line is simply not something the district should be doing, said other residents.

School Board President Ray Cody, who attended the meeting with other members of the board, declined to discuss the budget but said that this was the first time he is hearing any opposition to the 9-period-day. "We will consider what the residents have said," said Cody.

"Every street you go down in this community has houses for sale. People are losing their jobs and losing their retirement savings. What is it going to take you people to understand?

"Why aren't you asking teachers for givebacks?" said Turner.

"What we are hearing is a concern about salaries and benefits which are negotiated," said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Student Services Dr. Dominck Palma. "We are currently in negotiations with our (teachers) bargaining unit and we will take your concerns to the table."

"I don't think it is fair to minimize a 3.9 percent increase," said resident Rene Elder. "Many taxpayers are not getting increases in their salaries and some are losing their jobs. I understand that you are doing your best, but you have to understand that any increase hurts."

"What I am hoping is that the community has confidence in us that we are doing the right thing," said Cacciola.