Board of Education Avoids Layoffs in Proposed Budget, Implements Next S.T.E.P Plan

The Rocky Point Board of Education revealed minimal cuts in its proposed budget and unanimously passed a motion to implement their five year Next S.T.E.P plan Monday night at .

The plan, which is the district's first strategic plan, attempts to lay out the district's direction for the next five years.

"We want to keep the programs we have," said Superintendent Michael Ring. "In order to do it without crippling the tax payer, we're going to do it through reallocation, redeployment and freezing open positions."

Ring said if the district has vacancies, and it is expected to have a small number due to retirement and other factors, they will look to freeze those positions.

"The critical positions that have to be filled will be filled," he added.

As it stands, the district's proposed budget does not involve major cuts as its main response to the reductions in state aid is to use $1.3 million of its restricted reserves.

"There will not be any serious cuts under the proposed budgets," Ring said. "If we were to go to contingency, it would be another story."

The board also unanimously approved the Capital Reserve Fund Proposition for the May 2011 budget, which authorizes the district to use $2,933,000 from the existing capital reserve fund. The majority of the funds would be used for roof replacement and asbestos abatement (which Ring said is not a threat but still  should be taken care of) at . It would also include bathroom renovations, energy saving occupancy sensors for lighting and amended lightning protection at the high school.

Monday's entire budget presentation can be found on the district's website. Adoption of the 2011-12 budget is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27. A public budget hearing will be held at Frank J. Carasiti on Tuesday, May 10 and the budget vote and board elections will take place on Tuesday, May 17 in the high school gymnasium.