Briarcliff School Officials Begin Building 2015-16 Budget

From the Briarcliff schools

Briarcliff Manor Superintendent of Schools James Kaishian and Assistant Superintendent Stuart Mattey shared with the Board of Education on Feb. 12 a preview of the 2015-16 budget process and a look at some historical data.

Goals set forth for this budget development include:

• Preserve and expand the district’s valued educational and co-curricular programs.
• Expand learning opportunities for all students.
• Maintain appropriate class size K-12.
• Improve and personalize the learning experience through better use of technology.
• Invest in professional learning for all faculty and staff.
• Maintain facilities and increase student safety.

Throughout the budget process, the administration and Board of Education will maintain a focus on student need, interest and passion, as well as the balance of community expectations.

The Feb. 12 presentation also looked at district technology, Briarcliff 2.0’s rollout and how these resources are impacting work in the district. Throughout the rollout process the district will move from a total of 1,087computers district-wide prior to the initiative, to 1,208 mostly one-to-one devices once the initiative rollout is complete.

While this may not seem significant, computers have now been placed directly in to the hands of both faculty and some students. This move has already increased access and the collaborative power of students and offers the opportunity for more personalized learning experiences in grades four through 12.

As next year’s budget is shaped, there are a number of factors, including fluctuations in enrollment and class size, capital expenditures, the tax levy cap, state aid, etc. that will affect the fiscal future of the district.

Coming Up:

• Building principals and the athletic director will share their programmatic goals and decisions at the Feb. 23 Board of Education meeting.
• The official superintendent’s budget proposal will be provided to the Board of Education on March 9.
• A second public budget workshop will be held on March 21.
• The Board of Education will adopt the budget on April 21.
• The public budget vote will be held on May 19.

Photo Caption: Briarcliff Manor Superintendent of School James Kaishian presented the2015-16 budget preview to the Board of Education on Feb. 12/Courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District