Budget Discussions Continue in Long Beach

Submitted by Long Beach Schools

Development of the recommended 2015-16 budget continued at the last meeting of the Long Beach School District’s Board of Education.

Chief Operating Officer Michael DeVito provided an updated presentation that outlined the budget goals, expenditures and revenues. He discussed the most recent option for consideration as a recommended budget and explained progression from the previous three versions that were shared in prior meetings. All budget presentations and materials are available on the district’s website, www.lbeach.org.

The budget is being developed with the intent to remain within the tax levy cap while maintaining and enhancing the educational program. The latest version of the draft budget was refined to include increases to special education services and related benefits, as well as staff retirements and all other elements that were factored into the three prior versions. The latest option reflects a 1.07 percent budget-to-budget increase and use of $1.77 million from designated reserve funds, which will be adjusted accordingly in the event that state aid is higher than anticipated. The district’s allowable tax levy increase is 3.19 percent. This figure is calculated based on a specific formula, and is higher in Long Beach than some other districts based on exemptions for which the district is eligible.

The draft budget recommends shifting resources to provide for a literacy coach and math coach, and also adding a staff member in the arts program and three English as a New Language staff members in compliance with new regulations and special education staff per IEPs. The literacy coach will support the implementation of a literacy coaching instruction model at East and West schools. The initiative was piloted at Lido and Lindell schools this year and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. The math coach will work in all four elementary schools and will provide teachers with internal professional development opportunities rather than the consultant sessions for which they are currently sent offsite. An additional staff member for the arts program will enhance the frequency of music instruction in the elementary buildings.

Superintendent of Schools David Weiss discussed the Tax Freeze Plan, the government’s two-year program intended to provide reimbursements to qualified homeowners based on their property tax increases. Mr. Weiss said Long Beach residents have begun receiving their refund checks in the mail and explained that the refund is due to the fact that the district levied an amount that is within the tax cap formula, rather than a change in an individual’s property assessment.

Also at this meeting, the Board of Education approved the tenure recommendation for High School Assistant Principal Dr. Francine Newmann.

“Dr. Newmann is a wonderful asset to Long Beach High School family and to this district,” Board of Education President Darlene Tangney said. Other members of the Board, administration and community echoed these praises and congratulated Dr. Newmann.