The Miller Place Superintendent's proposed budget for the 2012-13 school year does not exceed the tax cap, but includes over 24 staff reductions and many academic, athletic and extracurricular cuts.
Superintendent Susan Hodun and Deputy Superintendent Marianne Higuera presented their proposed budget to the Board of Education, teachers and community members in attendance at Wednesday's first Budget Workshop at the .
The proposed budget of $64,681,269 is an increase of just .67 percent from this year and includes a 2.6 percent tax levy, the maximum allowed for the district under the new cap.
Among the many cuts in the proposed budget is the elimination of 22.5 full-time teachers and 2.5 clerical and support staff members, which would save the district $1,910,670. Seven co-curricular reductions include high school drama and robotics and Middle School National Junior Honor Society. The cuts would leave just four clubs each at the high school and middle school.
Another controversial reduction in the budget is the elimination of the entire athletic program, which would save the district $162,505. The announcement of these reductions was met with dismay by many parents and community members.
"If youre going to cut all the sports from the middle school I can't imagine the backlash, I think that's unacceptable," Miller Place parent Pete Conelli said. "What are these kids going to do all day? When I moved here nine years ago I picked this community for the school system and I hope I didn't make a mistake."
The community members were not alone, as board members also questioned the cuts proposed. After the presentation, board trustee Brian Neyland received a number of ovations from those in attendance as he challenged a number of aspects of the budget. He vowed that he and the board will do everything possible to find the funds necessary to save the programs currently on the chopping block.
"When we look at eliminating middle school sports...and then when we look at all the programs also eliminated, it adds up to 257,065 dollars," Neyland said. "That's less than one-third of one percent of our entire budget. I have to believe that in a 66 million dollar budget we can find 257 thousand to keep those progams. I think we have our work to do to try to find at least [that]."
The board assured the community that things can be done to save the programs and reminded everyone that this budget is not final.
“At this point in the process, everything is on the table,” Board President John Magnani said.
The budget overview is available above in PDF format. All budget information has also been made available on the district's website.
The next budget workshop is scheduled for March 7 and will focus on the Instructional (courses, etc.) portion of the budget.
http://seethroughny.net/payrolls/schools/ After all these years of us approving budgets and helping them make great salaries along the way. It's time for payback! %10 cuts from $100,000.00 earners and higher. Top 4 earners make over $1,000,000.00 (one million) combined.
Check out Miller Place Payroll http://seethroughny.net/payrolls/schools/ After all these years of us approving budgets and helping them make great salaries along the way. It's time for payback! %10 cuts from $100,000.00 earners and higher. Top 4 earners make over $1,000,000.00 (one million) combined.
As much as unfunded mandates are a problem the main thing is that the contracts are unaffordable. What the community expects is that the employees of the district are not exempt from the hardship many in the community experience. This is a fairness issue. For example, freezing the salaries in MPSD would save $1.9 Million, which is close to the $2.1million needed to preserve programs and all the jobs.
The board announced in December it would not conduct a formal search for a superintendent, but would rather give the job permanently to Ms. Hodun, the district’s interim superintendent.But at Wednesday night’s meeting, the board unanimously appointed Ms. Hodun to remain interim superintendent for the 2011-12 school year.Board member Michael Unger said if Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to cap superintendents’ salaries based on student enrollment becomes reality,
“I fully expect Ms. Hodun to move into the permanent spot after this upcoming year,” Mr. Unger said.The district’s PR firm offered the following statement Wednesday: “Ms. Hodun has expressed her appreciation of the continued support of the Board of Education. While she is cognizant of the possibility of a superintendent salary cap, she requested an additional year as Interim Superintendent for a variety of reasons.”Ms. Hodun, who earned about $197,700 including benefits and overtime in 2010, would see her salary shrink to $165,000 under Gov. Cuomo’s plan. Ms. Hodun joined the district 21 years ago as a special education teacher at North Country Road Middle School. She has since held the posts of dean of students, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent.
Although I agree that MPSD needs concessions from the administrators, one needs to understand that there is not much money to be saved there, as the MPTA, i.e. teachers contract is where the real savings are. I also believe that if the MPTA does not renegotiate the contract others won't, again because this is where biggest savings are. If you want to see a superintendent's contract which is totally out of line take a look at Rocky Point as reported on the Patch,it includes private bathroom and life insurance for life: http://millerplace-rockypoint.patch.com/blog_posts/open-letter-to-the-rocky-point-board-of-education#pdf-9207379
I don't for a second believe that you care about what I or any vet or public employee has done for their country or community. But thats ok since we take those jobs because we love them, not for recognition. We know it is not the path to riches. Lets face it, the school tax is the only thing we can really have a say in. And the people will speak in May. Just last week my wife of 40 years and I closed on our new home in San Diego. We will miss Long Island but not the troubles of getting off it. I have a 45 Cabo waiting for me and some tuna waiting to be chased. You have a nice life and remember, if you are enjoying your freedom, thank a vet. If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are a bitter person, blame yourself.
I too think Americanvet's comments have been very hypocritical. I also don't understand that second coming comment about her kids crying about mommy's job at night. There are a lot of non-teachers out there if not more who have kids crying also about their parents job. I don't see her point there. Do you?
I'm a little taken back by how much insight is there. perhaps an agitator actually in support of the schools a reverse phyc thing?
http://millerplace-rockypoint.patch.com/blog_posts/miller-place-teachers-association-wheres-the-beef