Few In Attendance To Hear School Tax Levy Won't Increase

The Board of Education meeting that featured the presentation of the proposed 2011-2012 contained the news that the tax levy for Jefferson residents would not increase.

However, very few people were there to hear that seemingly good piece of news. Only about 20 people were in attendance at the meeting, and very few public comments were made.

Superintendent Dr. Kathaleen Fuchs narrated the budget presentation. She explained that the board tried hard to reduce spending during the difficult economic times.

"There was no request for an adjustment, and we stayed under the 2 percent levy cap," Fuchs said. "We were entitled to ask for an additional $714,325 under that levy, but chose not burden our taxpayers with that additional amount."

The administration was able to adjust the preliminary budget presented earlier this month when the new health benefit costs became available and were found to be lower.

The total proposed budget for 2011-2012 is $52,939,229, with a tax levy of $35,716,268. Jefferson will receive $14,574,220 from the state for this budget, which is an increase of $531,417 over last year. Click for more information on the budget.

The proposed budget does not include a third vice principal at the middle school, which resident Jill VanNess asked the board to reconsider.

“You won’t find two more dedicated administrators than Mrs. Howe and Mrs. Widgren,” VanNess said. “But what if there is a problem and both of them are out of the building? I think it’s important to have another administrator in the building,” she added.

Resident Michelle Cannarozzi asked about the possibility of a shared principal for the middle school and high school.

“That’s something that we’ve looked into, but haven’t been able to do for budgetary reasons,” Fuchs said. “It is a topic we can consider revisiting.”

Board of Education candidate Stacie Corrao made several inquiries about the loan of approximately $1 million that the board is planning to take to pay for renovations to Drummond School. The administration will be moving into those offices when the lease is up at its current Bowling Green Parkway location at the end of October.

Fuchs made it clear during the budget presentation that money to pay off that loan is not a line item in the proposed budget, but rather will come from money the board currently pays in rent. Planned renovations include updates to the bathrooms, new windows, and work on the HVAC system.

Corrao wanted to know if structural changes like moving walls were included.

“Can we just put up cubicles, rather than moving walls? Wouldn’t that help to keep the price down,” she asked.

“We will not be moving walls, but I do need a private area for my office,” Fuchs replied. “If I’m having a private meeting with parents about a confidential issue, I can’t be in a place where others could hear.”

Another renovation includes moving the boiler currently at Drummond School to the Milton School. Corrao wondered why that move was necessary.

“It has to do with the amount of BTUs in the boiler,” Fuchs explained. “The one currently in Drummond School requires that a Black Seal licensed employee be on premises at all times, which we would have to pay additional funds for. The new boiler we will get does not come with that requirement. Milton School already has a Black Seal employee on premises, that we’re already paying, so we wouldn’t have to pay more for another one.”

In other business, board member Judy Castiglione discussed the possibility of advertising on buses as a method of obtaining additional funds for programs that have been cut from the budget.

“The only problem that we need to be careful of is that we cannot turn down advertising from any legitimate business, but some, though legitimate, may not be appropriate to be on school buses,” said assistant superintendent Joseph Kraemer.

Castiglione said she would research how other districts that currently accept advertising have handled that issue.

Finally, the board approved the retirement of John Cinotti, vice principal at the high school, who has served for 39 years.