ialogueTALKING ABOUT THE ELMONT UFSD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSDElmont Budget 2018

Special Budget ed i t ion

Highlights of the Proposed Budget:

Comprehensive eduCation

Providing a Quality

for All Students

The District’s Board of Education and administration are continuing their tradition of minimizing tax increases while maintaining quality educational programs for students. In fact, for the fifth year in a row, the District’s proposed tax levy increase is below its allowable tax levy cap. The District has worked diligently to ensure all available resources are utilized to their fullest potential to minimize rising costs and to ensure the continuation of underfunded mandates.

The District takes pride in being fiscally prudent while providing the resources and opportunities needed to educate the whole child. On a per-pupil basis, Elmont ranks seventh among the 56 districts in the county for the lowest spending and is 32 percent below the average county tax levy. We do this while maintaining outstanding student achievement and continuing to invest in our building infrastructure.

Cost-saving measures taken for the proposed 2018-19 budget include maximizing in-District services, favorable outcomes in 34 nonresidency cases, a reduction in instructional support costs and the continued application for grant monies.

Remember to vote on Tuesday, May 15 at your designated polling place. Registration will be accepted until Tuesday, May 8 for qualified residents. For additional information, please call the District clerk at 516-434-2002.

Budget Vote May 15, 2018 • 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

3.7% Proposed

Tax Levy Increase

Which is BELOW

Our NYS Allowable

Tax Cap

ialogueTALKING ABOUT THE ELMONT UFSD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSDElmont

Visit us online at www.elmontschools.org

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Flushing, NY

Permit No.1365

Special Budget ed i t ion

Voting Requirements To participate in the May 15 annual budget vote and election of trustees: You must be a registered voter who is a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older and a District resident for at least 30 days prior to the vote. You need not register if, during the last four years, you: • Voted in a general election in Nassau County, • Voted in an Elmont School District election, • Registered with the Nassau County Board of

Elections or • Regis tered with the Elmont School District.

Who Needs to Register If you are a new resident and last registered or voted in a county other than Nassau, you must reregister.Last day to register: May 8, 2018

When and Where to Vote Voting will take place on Tuesday, May 15 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. at all six school buildings and the Elmont Road Administration Building.

Absentee Ballots Absentee ballots are available in the District Clerk’s office at the Elmont Road Administration Building. You may either call or come in to pick up an absentee ballot if you will be out of town or unable to vote in person on May 15, 2018. If you have any questions, please call 516-434-2002.

• Enhanced the educational program by implementing the Fundations Reading Program in grades K and 1, running records in grades K and 1, and providing high-quality professional development for all staff members on balanced literacy.

• Implemented a 1:1 technology initiative to focus on STEAM lessons and differentiated learning in third grade.

• 23 students participated in the Mentoring in Medicine Program offered during the Saturday Enrichment Program.

• Two schools competed in the Lego Robotics competition at Mineola High School.

• 32 fourth-grade students participated in the Lee Marcus Model United Nations program.

• 85 fifth- and sixth-grade students participated in the Lee Marcus Model United Nations program.

• 200 students participated in the New York State School Music Association Solo Evaluation Festival.

• Four District music ensembles will perform at Mineola High School and Hofstra University for the NYSSMA Major Ensemble Festival in May.

• 43 students performed at the Nassau Music Educators Association All-County Music Festival.

• 350 students participated in the Saturday Enrichment Program.

• 17 students are members of the wind ensemble at Clara H. Carlson School.

• 35 students had their artwork displayed at the Long Island Children’s Museum.

• In order to bring citizenship and civic responsibility to life, students participate in a variety of school events to raise funds for Autism Speaks, the American Heart Association, Homes for Heroes and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising approximately $20,000 throughout the school year.

Voter Information Share The

Elmont Union Free School District135 Elmont RoadElmont, NY 11003-1609

Board of EducationMichael A. Jaime, President Tameka Battle-Burkett, Vice PresidentMichael CantaraKevin Denehy Patrick Emeagwali Anthony S. Maffea Sr. Karen Taylor-Bass

Superintendent of Schools Al HarperColum P. Nugent, Attorney

Pride

Alden Terrace • Clara H. Carlson • Covert Avenue • Dutch Broadway • Gotham Avenue • Stewart Manor

• Maintains all current programs, summer programs and enrichment opportunities.

• Expansion of the 1:1 online learning initiative to grades 3-6.

• Replacement of dated classroom furniture and school buses.

• Security upgrades, districtwide.

• Continues to fund innovative and challenging academic programs such as Model UN, STEM Lab Research, Saturday World Language and Enrichment Academies.

For the latest budget news, visit our website at www.elmontschools.org

Q: What is the impact of state aid on this budget? A: An increase in state aid recently adopted by the state legislature is fully reflected in the estimated revenue budget for 2018-19. The Board of Education continues to work with our elected officials to maximize the District’s state aid. Every dollar of state aid reduces the tax levy by a dollar.

Q: What happens if this budget is not approved by voters? A: The proposed budget will require a 50 percent plus one voter approval, since the proposed tax levy is below the state tax cap. If the proposed budget is not approved on May 15, the Board of Education could adopt a contingency budget, which would require budget reductions of $2.7 million. The Board would be forced to consider the following: • Staff layoffs – teachers, teacher aides, bus aides and support staff.• Increased class sizes.• Increased prices for school

lunch and breakfast.• Elimination of full-day

kindergarten.• Elimination of after-school

and summer enrichment programs, including Model

U.N., Saturday Academy and World Language Academy.

• Reductions in pupil transportation, field trips, equipment purchases and capital improvements.

• Charging a fee for the use of buildings and fields by community and outside groups.

Q: How does this budget educate the whole child? A: The proposed budget supports the District’s goal of ensuring that every child is challenged academically and

prepared to participate in a global environment. It also offers our students a rigorous and engaging curriculum, ensures a healthy and safe school climate, fosters professional collaboration and partnerships, and provides ongoing professional growth and development.

Q: What capital project and transportation components are included in this budget?A: The budget allows us to make the necessary commitment to the District’s infrastructure, which protects the safety and welfare of our students as well as our taxpayers’ investment in our facilities and buses. Capital projects include districtwide classroom flooring renovations, HVAC component replacement and site work improvements.

estimated expenditures estimated Revenues

Senior Citizen tax exemptionS

The Board of Education understands the difficulty that tax levy increases can place on our senior citizens and has approved senior citizen tax exemptions. These exemptions can reduce property taxes by up to 50 percent based on a senior citizen’s annual income. This means that a senior citizen with low income would pay only HALF the amount of the school tax that he or she would otherwise pay. Senior citizens can apply for this exemption by contacting the Nassau County Department of Assessment at 516-571-1500.

Setting the tax rate

The proposed budget represents the funds needed for the coming school year. The Board of Education’s responsibility is to present the total dollar amount to be raised by taxes to the Nassau County Board of Assessors, which determines the tax rate for each property class. The tax levy increase in Elmont over the past 10 years is among the lowest in Nassau County.

STARAll New York State residents who reside in their own homes can reduce their school property taxes through a New York State School Tax Relief Program exemption, regardless of age or income. Senior citizens may receive Enhanced STAR credit. Residents must apply to the Nassau County Department of Assessment (516-571-1500) to be eligible, and seniors must reapply for the enhanced exemption each year. For more information, visit www.nystax.gov.

Code Account Name 2017-18 2018-19 Increase (Decrease) Current Budget Proposed Budget AdministrAtion

1099 Board of Education $107,050 $109,050 $2,000 1299 Central Administration 503,248 507,903 4,655 1399 Finance 818,301 842,434 24,133 1420 Legal Services 242,000 260,000 18,000 1430 Personnel 286,959 298,002 11,043 1699 Other Central Services 1,136,160 1,274,588 138,428 1998 Special Items 826,000 818,000 (8,000) 2010 Curriculum Dev. & Supv. 717,621 731,243 13,622 2020 Supervision Regular Schools 3,001,383 2,866,474 (134,909) 9098 Employee Benefits 1,971,477 2,042,899 71,422 Administration Subtotal $9,610,199 $9,750,593 $140,394 Percent of Total 11.12% 10.90% CApitAl 1620 Operation of Plant 4,814,358 5,024,459 210,101 1621 Maintenance of Plant 863,807 889,934 26,127 5510 Purchase of Buses 700,000 700,000 - 9098 Employee Benefits 1,519,394 1,708,990 189,596 9760 Debt Service 2,005,638 2,019,113 13,475 9950 Transfer to Capital Fund 1,750,000 1,750,000 - Capital Subtotal $11,653,197 $12,092,496 $439,299 Percent of Total 13.49% 13.51%Program 1420 Legal Services 90,000 90,000 - 2070 In-Service Training 172,588 218,000 45,412 2199 Regular Instruction 24,002,033 24,434,753 432,720 2250 Special Education 15,430,793 15,863,118 432,325 2330 Special Schools 370,600 357,260 (13,340) 2699 Instructional Media 2,003,843 2,460,658 456,815 2899 Pupil Personnel Services 2,720,562 2,714,894 (5,668) 5599 Transportation 3,917,614 3,912,747 (4,867) 9098 Employee Benefits 16,198,305 17,309,571 1,111,266 9901 Transfer to Other Funds 240,000 275,000 35,000 Program Subtotal $65,146,338 $67,636,001 $2,489,663 Percent of Total 75.39% 75.59%

Grand Total $86,409,734 $89,479,090 $3,069,356

A complete budget information packet is available in all schools and at the Elmont Public Library.

2018-2019 School Budget

Source 2017-18 2018-19 Increase Current Budget Proposed Budget (Decrease) Local Sources $1,096,000 $1,654,000 $ 558,000 State Aid 25,310,048 26,512,830 1,202,782 Appropriated Fund Balance 5,300,000 4,900,000 (400,000)Property Taxes

Tax Levy STAR Revenue from New York State 6,621,770 6,621,770 - Paid by Taxpayers and Payments in Lieu of Taxes 48,081,916 49,790,490 1,708,574Total Tax Levy 54,703,686 56,412,260 1,708,574Total Revenues $86,409,734 $89,479,090 $3,069,356

0

$53,000,000

$54,000,000

$55,000,000

$56,000,000

$57,000,000

2014/15

New York State Tax Cap Limit

Elmont School District

2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Five Years oF savings For residents*By staying under the New York State Tax Cap Elmont residents have saved more than $11 million over the last five years.