Rocky Point Board Adopts Superintendent's Budget, Will Pierce Tax Cap

The Rocky Point Board of Education adopted the 2012-13 school budget at Wednedsay's board meeting, a $71,574,012 budget that includes a 3.2 percent tax levy increase.

The budget is a 2.9 percent increase in expenditures from last year and retains all programs. With a levy increase that exceeds the State mandated tax cap of two percent, the budget will need to pass by a supermajority of 60 percent. Last year's district budget, which included a tax levy increase of close to five percent, passed by a 67 percent supermajority.

"I'm very pleased that the board adopted the recommended budget," said Superintendent Michael Ring. "It’s a budget that’s consistent with what we’ve done in the past which is very efficient [with] expenditures at a 2.97 percent rate and is also very efficient with the tax levy at 3.2 percent."

The Board also adopted the property tax report card, which Ring said compares favorably with many other districts.

"You’ll see once the property tax report cards are published that there are a lot of districts that may not be piercing the cap but have increases that are even higher than 3.2 percent," he said. "And there are still many that are higher than 3.2 percent and are piercing the cap."

It was also announced that two seats on the board will be up for election in the May 15 vote. Trustees John Lessler and Scott Reh will be up for re-election. The Rocky Point PTA will be hosting a Meet the Candidates Night on May 3rd at 8 p.m. in the auditorium. The Sound Beach Civic Association will also hold a Meet the Candidates night at the on May 14.

What do you think of the adopted budget for the 2012-13 school year? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.