While state aid numbers show that Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year show a relatively big boost in aid to Rocky Point School District, the impact on the district's budget remains unclear as district administrators continue to discuss revenue projections for the upcoming school year.
According to numbers released by Cuomo's office, RPSD is in line for a 7.3 percent increase in state aid, or $1.67 million more than last year. The district, numbers show, would receive $24.5 million next year over last year's total of $22.8 million.
Coumo's office reported that statewide, schools are set to receive 4.4 percent more aid under his proposal, though the governor's budget is still subject to negotiations with state legislators and will likely change to some degree.
While expenditures have been discussed publicly at a Jan. 14 budget workshop, a spokeswoman for the district said via email that, "The planning process is an evolving one and they were only in the early public stages of this when the governor's proposal was released. Continued discussion, namely with regard to revenue figures, will be taking place in the weeks ahead."
She noted that revenue projections should be complete by March.
According to the Jan. 14 budget workshop presentation, the Board of Education is aiming to propose a budget that falls under the state tax levy cap; last year, the board proposed a budget that pierced the cap and received the necessary 60 percent supermajority to gain approval, when 62 percent of voters OKd the spending plan.
Cuomo's budget proposes a 1.26 percent boost in aid to Miller Place School district and 2.5 percent more in Mt. Sinai, while Comsewogue School District is slated to receive over 3 percent more. Cuomo proposed a drop in aid to Port Jefferson School District, reportedly a result of student enrollment decline.
