The Carle Place Board of Education presented their 2015-16 adopted budget during last week’s meeting; a budget that at $47,660,182, is a 1.08 decrease from the 2014-15 school year.
The proposed budget represents a $520,614 decrease from last year and at a levy of $42,323,209, is a zero percent tax levy change.
The district was able to save money in part due to several decreases in items that usually drive up the budget. The district saved $912,685 in retirement systems and $24,400 in workers compensation, as well as $92,642 in special education because the district no longer has to pay tuition for students who have aged out of the program.
The district received $3,720,000 in New York state aid (which represents less than 10 percent of the budget), $850,000 in reserves/transfers and $469,473 from PILOTS. Other revenue sources, such as drivers education and testing fees, also contributed $297,500 to the budget.
In addition to the budget, the board will be asking voters to approve spending $4.5 million of the district’s capital reserve fund toward several important projects. These include completing middle/high school library renovations, building a multipurpose room (that could be used for athletic events, public meetings and occasions such as Election Days), a new facilities garage, electrical upgrades in all the buildings, a new telephone system, and a new gymnasium floor and wall padding at Cherry Lane School.
Also on the ballot are two Board of Education trustee seats. Trustees Joseph LoCurto and Anthony Bulzomi are running unopposed.
The Carle Place budget vote and Board of Education elections take place Tuesday, May 19 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Carle Place High School North Cafeteria. Read more about the budget at www.cps.k12.ny.us/departments/budget_information
