Written by Carol P. Bartold

Feb. 18, 2015: Charged with maintaining a sustainable model of excellence in education while exercising fiscal responsibility in an environment of rising enrollment, the two percent tax levy cap, and other mandates, the Bronxville Board of Education discussed a $46.5 million proposed budget for 2015-2016 at its February 12 meeting.

The budget for expenditures represents an increase of $327,000, or 0.71 percent, over the current 2014-2015 budget.

Dan Carlin, assistant superintendent for business, submitted two budget options establishing the size of fund balance reserves to be used—one for $1,050,000 and the other for $850,000.

If the board selects the $1,050,000 allocation, property owners would see a 0.85 percent increase in the tax levy for 2015-2016, which is within the district's allowable 1.36 percent calculated tax levy cap.

Although New York State allows a maximum 2 percent tax levy cap, school districts must exclude debt service payments in calculating their allowable cap.

Carlin also presented an option that calls for a fund balance reserve of $850,000, which would result in a tax levy increase of 1.35 percent, still within the allowable calculated tax levy cap.

New Teaching Positions:  Based on enrollment projections and class sizes as various cohorts advance through the elementary school and from middle school to high school, the budget proposes to add several new professional positions.

The addition of one teacher in grade four is designed to address class size issues. This year grade three is the only cohort with five sections instead of six. Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone reported that, based on enrollment projections, adding a grade four teacher for 2015-2016 would enable class size to be maintained at fewer than 25 students.

"There are some fairly serious space consequences for adding a teacher," Quattrone said, "and we are working through those to see how we can share space in our limited facility."

Quattrone also noted that, over the next four years, high school enrollment is expected to increase from 500 students to 599 students. The proposed budget calls for the addition of one full-time science teacher for grades six through twelve as well as one full-time science teacher for those cohorts. 

"We believe by making these changes now we can prepare ourselves well and provide continuity over the next several years," Quattrone said. "If we only add part-time staff, we're going to have a significantly weaker pool of teachers to draw from."

In light of the increase in classroom technology and the use of portable devices this year, the budget also proposes to add a full-time director of instructional technology position.

Looking forward to the completion of the auditorium, the budget includes a half-time auditorium coordinator responsible for scheduling of school activities as well as managing the anticipated increase in community uses of the venue.

The Bronxville Board of Education will hold its second budget workshop on Saturday, March 7, at 9:00 am in the school's multipurpose room.

Pictured here (L to R): Board member Christopher Atayan, board vice president David Brashear, board president Denise Tormey, and board members Adele Murray, Mary Giuffra, and Jeffrey Rohr.

Photo by Carol P. Bartold