Peekskill School Budget, Bond Reviewed at Hearing

Peekskill school officials reviewed the proposed 2011-12 budget Tuesday,
May 3, during a hearing that attracted only one question from the public.

The budget, adopted April 12, totals
$72,013,090 and will be presented to district voters May 17. If approved it
will raise taxes 3 percent. The proposal increases spending
$1,032,844, or 1.46 percent, over the 2010-11 budget of $70,980,246. A home
assessed at $10,000, the district average, would pay $6,180 in taxes.

Copies of the budget are available on the district Web site, www.peekskillcsd.org, and in the
Administration Center, 1031 Elm St., and individual schools. Additional
information will be in a budget issue of the district newsletter.

Dr. Larry Licopoli, interim superintendent of schools, explained that the
budget was data driven, meaning that the Board of Education “had plenty of
information upon which to make intelligent decisions.” Having adequate data
takes on even greater importance as the district increasingly utilizes
long-range (five-year) financial forecasting and planning, he said.

The lone question from the public involved why the appropriation for teacher
salaries increased despite four retirements. Licopoli explained that three of
the four retirees were replaced, for a net reduction of one teacher. Gregory
Sullivan, assistant superintendent for business, added that salary
increases were required by contracts.

The hearing also offered an overview of the $3,165,000 bond referendum
for capital upgrades, which will also be on the May 17 ballot. Highlights
include cafeteria and kitchen renovations at Peekskill High School, retaining
wall repair at Oakside Elementary School and security upgrades at all
buildings.

In a bond-related matter the board voted after the hearing to remove, on
advice of its bond counsel, the phrase “in excess of the debt limit” from the
text of the ballot proposition. It is not necessary, Licopoli explained,
because the bond will not push the district over its limit. Had the phrase been
retained, a 60 percent favorable vote would have been needed to approve the
bond instead of a simple majority.

Lisbeth Bock, board liaison to the Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee, thanked
committee members for their work. The board will be seeking new members for the
panel as work begins on the next year’s budget and a multiyear plan. Board
President Michael Simpkins thanked the administration for its efforts on the
budget and encouraged district residents “to exercise their right to vote.”

Board member Joseph Urbanowicz also encouraged residents to vote,
especially on the bond issue, since some of the work involves health and safety
issues. He also noted that the projects qualify for 70 percent state aid.

School officials are already looking ahead to the 2012-13 school year,
when five employee contracts expire and new agreements must be negotiated. Since salary and benefits constitute about 80 percent of expenses, Licopoli said,
adequate data are essential to the contract process. He also cautioned that the
needs of Peekskill – and what district residents can afford – are more
important than the norms of recent decades or agreements reached in other
districts.