Ossining School Board Adopts $125.2M Budget Proposal that Is under the Property-Tax Cap

The Ossining Board of Education on Tuesday adopted a $125.2 million budget that is under the state’s cap on the property-tax levy for the fifth consecutive year.

The spending plan preserves the district’s favorable teacher-to-student ratios, includes funding for important building maintenance projects, prioritizes summertime professional development for teachers, and maintains the school district’s cultural, athletics and science research programs.

The budget requires a 1.83 percent change in the property tax levy. Since the increase is within the property-tax cap of 1.97 percent, homeowners who receive a State Tax Relief – STAR – exemption are entitled to a $130 rebate from the state.

The budget increase includes one-time expenditures of $3 million in debt service fund balance that will be used for critical infrastructure projects.

The $3 million is part of money that was placed in reserve to cover any spikes in interest rates on the $41.5 million bond issue approved by voters in 2012. Due to historically low interest rates and more favorable state building reimbursement rates, the district did not need to spend all the money.

The Board of Education has approved spending the $3 million in debt service fund balance and Smart Bond funds for several construction initiatives. They include building four classrooms at Park School and renovating the cafeteria at Roosevelt School. Separate funds will also cover the cafeteria construction cost.

Ossining is a fast-growing district, and the superintendent and Board of Education continue to advocate for an increase in state aid. The state’s funding formula doesn’t take into account the tremendous increases in Ossining’s school enrollment. The student population is expected to be 5,064 in 2016-17, up from 3,923 in 2006-07.

The budget adds teaching staff at Anne M. Dorner Middle School and the elementary schools to keep class sizes at an optimal level. It also calls for hiring a library media specialist and clerk to restore the hours and days elementary school libraries are open.

The Board of Education’s budget places a priority on providing professional development for teachers during the summer so they can spend more time in class during the school year. They will be assisted by in-classroom instructional coaches.

The budget includes construction and improvement projects at every school, such as installing a carbon monoxide system districtwide, making classroom renovations, painting, upgrading exterior lighting, and replacing heating units and generators.

The Board of Education is holding a public hearing on the budget at 7 p.m. May 10 in the Ossining High School gym. The vote on the budget is from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 17 at OHS. The district is switching from lever-style machines to optical-scan machines this year for the annual budget vote and Board of Education election.

For more information on the budget, the public can participate in one of the live chats the district is holding between now and May 17. Just click on the picture of Assistant Superintendent Alita Zuber on the Business Operations Department page. You can also tweet questions to #oufsdbudget16 or email them to justask@ossining.k12.ny.us.