Published by the Board of Education May 2012Brentwood Bulletin2012-2013

Proposed School Budget

The proposed budget with an

estimated tax levy increase of 3.87%meets the cap and

maintains the strongeducational programs that our students and parents have come

to expect, while being sensitive to the financial challenges

confronting our Community.

This publicationis designed toinform residentsof the BrentwoodSchool Districtcommunity ofnews abouttheir schools.For furtherinformation,call 434-2334.

BOARD OF EDUCATIONStephen E. Coleman, PresidentHelen Moss, 1st Vice PresidentSuzanne M. Belanger-Embree, 2nd Vice PresidentMichael Jahkhah, TrusteeGail Kirkham, TrusteeLorraine A. Pace, TrusteeGeorge M. Talley, Trustee

Joseph C. Bond, Superintendent of Schools

POSTAL PATRON-LOCALBrentwood Union Free School District

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage

PAIDBRENTWOOD, NY

PERMIT NO. 1

Carrier Route PresortECRWSS

www.bufsd.org

May 7, 2012Budget Hearing

7 PM Public Meeting Room Admin. Building

May 15, 2012Budget Vote

8 AM - 9 PM Elementary Schools

Dear Residents,

We are faced with challenging times that have required us to make tough and painful cuts. I am proud to say that we have come up with a budget that is fiscally responsible while at the same time preserves important

programs. Along with our Superintendant Joe Bond and his staff we were able to create a budget that keeps our spending reasonable while at the same time keeps in mind that our children are the number one priority and we will make sacrifices for them. Full day kindergarten will be saved in this budget as well as extracurricular activities. However we should not brag or boast about this budget there will be cuts and changes that will come as a result. We need to keep the pain balanced and down to a minimum and that is why what I will say for this budget is it is fiscally responsible. We developed a budget in the amount of $324,363,514 with a tax levy of $94,522,581, which does not exceed the statutory tax levy cap. It is certainly not common for a School Board President to appeal to residents but I feel compelled to ask for your understanding and patience

as we make our way through this financial challenge. We will continue to look for ways to do more with less and find ways to sacrifice so our kids will not have to. We will leave no stone unturned in seeking ways to make the burden less to bare. I ask you to read this budget information, ask questions and seek answers. I don’t need to remind a single parent that what’s at risk is the education of our greatest resource.... Our Children!!

Sincerely Stephen E. ColemanPresident, Brentwood Board of Education

Stephen E. Coleman, PresidentHelen Moss, 1st Vice PresidentSuzanne M. Belanger-Embree, 2nd Vice PresidentMichael Jahkhah, TrusteeGail Kirkham, TrusteeLorraine A. Pace, TrusteeGeorge M. Talley, Trustee

Dear Residents,

We are living through very difficult times, as a result we are making tough budgetary de-cisions. However, this year more than any other, we are watching every penny spent for each and every program. Our Board of

Education has worked tirelessly along with my ad-ministration to present to you a budget that is fair and manageable. We created a budget that keeps education first and manages to maintain a realistic and respon-sible mix of extracurricular programs. After months of careful review, we present a cost cutting budget that addresses the economic challenges that continue to burden our community. We are proposing a budget with an estimated tax levy increase of 3.87%. The 2012-2013 budget will be in the amount of $324,363,514 with a tax levy of $94,522,581 dollars which does not exceed the

statutory tax levy cap. We have worked diligently to keep our programs and classes stable and will continue to make efforts to preserve as many jobs as possible.

As you review this budget newsletter, please be assured that our children’s needs will always come first, and with your help we will be able to “weather the storm” and continue to offer the wide range of well rounded programs that our community has come to expect and that our children deserve.

Sincerely,

Joseph C. BondSuperintendent of Schools

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A Message to All Residents

Superintendent’s Message

Brentwood Pride

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Brentwood Pride

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

What is the impact of the new tax levy cap?As a result of last year’s legislation the District must prepare a document that calculates the tax levy cap that is necessary for a budget approved by 50% of the voting public. If the District’s budget required a tax levy exceeding that cap, the approved budget would require voter approval by 60% of the voting public. Due to allowable exclusions to the tax levy, the tax levy limit for Brentwood in 2012/13 is 3.87%.

Does the District intend on going above the tax levy cap?No. The budget being presented to the Community includes a tax levy increase of 3.87%, which does not exceed the cap. Therefore, the budget requires a 50% approval rate in order to be successful.

Is the tax levy cap the only limitation on the school budget?In addition to the tax levy, State aid has the biggest impact on the revenue side of the budget. Although the District is projected to receive an increase in State aid for the 2012/13 year, the aid is still significantly less than Brentwood received in the 08/09 school year. Since expenses continue to increase, the gap between the revenue side of the budget and the expenditure side of the budget continues to grow. The only option that the District has is to reduce expenses. After careful review, the District was faced with the difficult choice of reducing programs, and, therefore, staff.

Will any programs be cut for the 2012-13 school year?The District values all programs that contribute to the successes of all of our students; however, due to the fiscal crisis the District continues to review all areas. With a successful budget, we will continue to offer enrichment programs, Advanced Placement courses at the high school and summer school for high school students.

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Will we have full day kindergarten next year?Yes! The Board of Education under-stands the importance of beginning a child’s first school experience by build-ing a strong foundation. Despite only a minor increase in State aid, the Board stands committed to retaining full day kindergarten in order to give the students a greater chance for future academic success.

Will we have after school clubs and athletics next year?Yes! The clubs and sports that we are enjoying this year will continue in the 2012/13 school year. In addition, late busses at the secondary level will continue.

What happens if the budget fails?If the budget were to fail on the first attempt the Board of Education could adopt a contingent budget or put up a budget for a second time. If the budget were to fail a second time the Board would have to adopt a contingent budget. Due to last year’s legislation the contingent budget is considerably different than in the past. The tax levy would have to be held at last year’s amount, causing further reductions of more than $3,500,000. This would require more cuts in staff and a further reduction in programs that could include: • athletics • extracurricular activities • full day kindergarten • The District will be required to

charge for use of facilities.

Is there a multi-year agreement included in the budget?The budget contains a multi-year agreement for transportation services. The District issued a request for proposals for transportation services in March. The responses will be analyzed and awarded in the best interest of the District. The term of the agreement is expected to be 3-5 years. Funding for the first year of this agreement is included in the 2012/13 budget.

Instruction53.53%

Employee Benefits24.93%

General Support9.69%

Transportation6.77%

Debt Service4.57%

Interfund Transfer.50%

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GENERAL SUPPORT Budget Proposed Budget Function Description 2011-12 2012-13 $ Change 1010 Board of Education 53,485 52,860 -625 1040 District Clerk 36,103 37,156 1,053 1060 District Meeting 46,200 47,775 1,575 1240 Chief School Administrator & Staff 486,300 492,026 5,726 1310 Business Administration 1,377,281 1,406,236 28,955 1320 Auditing 220,000 210,000 -10,000 1325 Treasurer 17,290 17,290 0 1345 Purchasing 982,169 1,064,311 82,142 1380 Fiscal Agent Fees 9,000 9,300 300 1420 Legal Services 250,000 275,000 25,000 1430 Personnel Services 521,945 588,743 66,798 1460 Records Management Officer 120,616 113,470 -7,146 1480 Public Information & Services 148,000 140,000 -8,000 1620 Operations & Maintenance of Plant 20,718,393 21,511,632 793,239 1670 Central Printing & Mailing 567,337 589,662 22,325 1680 Central Data Processing 2,343,686 2,382,634 38,948 1910 Unallocated Insurance 1,138,305 1,030,273 -108,032 1980 MTA Tax 614,049 0 -614,049 1981 Administrative Charges - BOCES 1,440,000 1,448,561 8,561 TOTAL GENERAL SUPPORT 31,090,159 31,416,929 326,770

Where Your School Dollars Go

Where Your School Dollars Come From

State Aid62.70%

Tax Levy26.00%

Fund Balance5.93%

STAR 3.14%

Other Income 2.24%

Instruction53.53%

Employee Benefits24.93%

General Support9.69%

Transportation6.77%

Debt Service4.57%

Interfund Transfer.50%

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INSTRUCTION Proposed Budget Proposed Budget Function Description 2011-12 2012-13 $ Change2010 Curriculum Development & Supervision 2,902,060 2,637,623 -264,4372020 Supervision - Regular School 8,187,650 7,795,033 -392,6172030 Supervision - Special Education 647,848 627,531 -20,3172040 Supervision - Other Schools 197,373 197,839 4662050 Continuing Education 42,525 42,525 02060 Research, Planning & Evaluation 109,386 82,393 -26,9932070 In-Service Training 60,680 57,480 -3,2002110 Regular Day School 97,418,021 102,413,929 4,995,9082250 Programs for Handicapped Children 34,642,737 35,407,253 764,5162255 Services for Pupils with Learning Disabilities 3,763,027 3,613,774 -149,2532260 Speech Services 2,441,076 2,317,887 -123,1892280 Occupational Education 2,484,086 2,165,596 -318,4902310 Adult Ed 88,618 86,454 -2,1642320 Evening High School 337,000 339,000 2,0002330 Elementary Summer Science Camp 12,000 0 -12,0002331 Secondary Summer School 183,035 269,700 86,6652335 Elementary Enrichment 0 73,945 73,9452336 Secondary Enrichment 0 22,307 22,3072350 Summer Music Wksp 0 28,977 28,9772355 Summer Music Inst. Program 65,000 93,496 28,4962610 School Library & Audiovisual 2,960,989 3,488,185 527,1962620 Video Studio 20,000 38,000 18,0002630 Computer Assisted Instruction 626,000 647,000 21,0002805 Attendance 1,474,653 1,305,693 -168,9602806 Attendance Improvement 0 274,117 274,1172810 Guidance 3,338,842 3,656,995 318,1532815 Health 2,401,614 2,544,672 143,0582820 Psychological Services 1,276,252 1,272,404 -3,8482825 Social Work Services 443,400 384,173 -59,2272850 Co-Curricular Activities 45,000 490,604 445,6042855 Inter-Scholastic Athletics 582,165 1,259,230 677,065TOTAL INSTRUCTION 166,751,037 173,633,815 6,882,778

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• Samantha Garvey was selected as an Intel Semi-Finalist and met President Obama. Her project was outstanding, and she was cited

for her accomplishments by Congressman Steve Israel.

• Our “Free” Breakfast Program grew in leaps and bounds. East Middle School, East Elemen-tary, Loretta Park, and Oak Park are now enjoy-ing the perfect start to the day.

• The Art Department celebrated their 51st year of displaying our students’ works. We had the 51st Annual Art Show, and local media outlets featured our works.

• The Music Department entertained us all with the Broadway musical, George M. More than 150 students volunteered to make the show possible.

• Our fencing team boasted several All-County Athletes.

• WXBA 88.1 FM began its 36th year of “Playing the Hits.” Our kids are the DJ’s playing today’s and yesterday’s favorites. Newsday featured our kids’ work.

2011-2012 District Highlights and Accomplishments

PUPIL TRANSPORTATION Proposed Budget Proposed Budget Function Description 2011-12 2012-13 $ Change5510 Pupil Transportation 21,094,479 21,973,227 878,748TOTAL PUPIL TRANSPORTATION 21,094,479 21,973,227 878,748 COMMUNITY SERVICE Proposed Budget Proposed Budget Function Description 2011-12 2012-13 $ Change8070 Community Service 30,521 0 -30,521TOTAL COMMUNITY SERVICE 30,521 0 -30,521 UNDISTRIBUTED EXPENSES Proposed Budget Proposed Budget Function Description 2011-12 2012-13 $ Change9000 Employee Benefits 76,107,999 80,872,697 4,764,6989700 Debt Service 14,702,847 14,836,846 133,9999900 Interfund Transfer 1,700,000 1,630,000 -70,000TOTAL UNDISTRIBUTED EXPENSE 92,510,846 97,339,543 4,828,697 OVERALL TOTAL 311,477,042 324,363,514 12,886,472

ESTIMATED REVENUE AND NET TAX LEVY Proposed Budget 2012-13 Actual 2011-12 ChangeState Aid Operating Aid 187,553,722 185,691,171 1,862,551 Building Aid 12,314,706 13,296,678 (981,972)Transportation Aid 15,911,825 15,117,933 793,892 GAP Elimination Aid (12,416,106) (16,779,278) 4,363,172 Total State Aid 203,364,147 197,326,504 6,037,643 Other Income Federal Programs Indirect Costs 150,000 100,000 50,000 Interest on Deposits 355,000 355,000 - Summer School Tuition 11,000 2,000 9,000 Day School Tuition 725,000 589,100 135,900 Adult Education Fees 30,000 - 30,000 BOCES - Projected Balance 150,000 150,000 - Miscellaneous 1,060,500 1,060,500 - Industrial Development P.I.L.O.T. Funds 4,774,086 1,675,000 3,099,086 Total Anticipated Revenue 210,619,733 201,258,104 9,361,629 Estimated Surplus 19,221,200 19,221,200 - School Tax Relief (STAR) Reimbursement 10,200,000 9,500,000 700,000 NET TAX LEVY 84,322,581 81,497,738 2,824,843 TOTALS 324,363,514 311,477,042 12,886,472 New York State Component Budget 2012-13 2011/12 Administrative 32,337,025 29,915,389 Program 250,548,452 239,840,212 Capital 41,478,037 41,721,441 TOTAL 324,363,514 311,477,042

PROPERTY TAX REPORT CARD Budgeted Proposed Percent Change 2011/12 2012/13 Total Proposed Spending $311,477,042 $324,363,514 4.14%School Tax Levy Limit $92,127,657 Permissible Exclusion to the School Tax Levy Limit $2,394,924 Proposed School Tax Levy Without Exclusions $92,127,657 Including Exclusions $90,997,738 $94,522,581 3.87%Public School Enrollment 16,739 16,739 0.00%Consumer Price Index 3.20% Actual 11/12 Estimated 12/13 Adjusted Restricted Fund Balance $44,915,336 $44,915,336 Assigned Appropriated Fund Balance $19,221,200 $19,221,200 Adjusted, Unrestricted Fund Balance $12,134,605 $8,559,000 Adjusted, Unrestricted Fund Balance 3.90% 2.64% As A Percentage Of The Total Budget

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All qualified voters are urged to

VOTETuesday, May 15, 2012 • 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

at your local elementary school

VOTING PROCEDURESThe Board of Education of the Brentwood School District wishes to inform the Community that the State Legislature, as of September 1, 1975, amended the Election Law and the Education Law, with regard to the qualifications of registrants at school district meetings or elections.

The law states that any registered voter for general elections IS ENTITLED TO CAST A BALLOT IN A SCHOOL ELECTION OR MEETING WITHOUT REGISTRATION.

In order to allow non-registered residents of the Community to vote under the new law, any voter who has registered with the school district within the past four years, or is a qualified voter in the general election, must vote in his or her local elementary school.

PROPOSITION #1

Resolved that the Board of Education of the Brentwood Union Free School District is hereby authorized to expend for the 2012-2013 school year the sum set forth in the 2012-2013 budget estimate heretofore presented pursuant to law, and that the Board of Education be authorized to levy the necessary tax therefore.

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