By Carol P. Bartold

Mar. 9, 2016:  With a proposed $46.9 million budget for the 2016-2017 school year, constrained by a property tax levy cap of 0.24 percent, the Bronxville Board of Education discussed options for funding a $660,000 anticipated budget shortfall at its March 5 budget workshop.

New York State's property tax cap limits the amounts by which local school districts can increase taxes to the lower of two percent and the rate of inflation.

"We're basically getting $100,000 in additional tax revenue," noted board finance committee chair Jeff Rohr. "Everything is not fine. We're in a very tough position here going forward." He added that the district had never anticipated having to write a budget that would meet a flat tax levy cap. A full two percent tax levy cap, he said, would bring an additional $800,000 in revenue to the district.

Dan Carlin, assistant superintendent for business, reported that, based on operations to date, the district should end the current year with a surplus of approximately $220,000. Should the board elect to use that surplus to help meet the 2016-2017 budget shortfall, the district's fund balance reserves could be used to fund the remaining $440,000. The board has made such an allocation from the fund balance reserves for the past several years.

"Right now," Rohr said, "This is what we would have to take out of capital, or make cuts, one or the other."

Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone pointed out that the board and the administration have considered the 2016-2017 budget by keeping sight of three different "time horizons."

First, for the 2017-2018 academic year, Quattrone said, "The main thing the board has to decide is whether to use reserves to meet the cap, which is a severe restraint."

The second time horizon presents problems the board is likely to face beyond the 2016-2017 year with regard to the tax levy cap should economic conditions present the Bronxville district with another flat tax levy cap.

The third and longer-term time horizon to be considered involves the capital plan, including work identified by the building conditions survey. The district must fund those projects as well as develop a sequence for commencement and completion.

"These longer-term needs include not only infrastructure problems," Quattrone said, "but also what updated spaces will best serve our educational mission."

Dan Carlin reported to the board that 98 percent of the district budget comprises items that must be paid and are not open to discretion. They include salaries and benefits, along with contractual services.

Jeff Rohr stated that the variable costs in the budget are related to the administrative staff and that there are no other items that can bear significant cuts. "It's not going to be easy, considering everything we want to do from a long-term perspective," he said.

The board will continue to examine options for cuts that could reduce the amount of fund balance reserves needed to fund the budget shortfall.

The Bronxville Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, March 15, at 7:00 pm in the school's multipurpose room.

Pictured here:  Dan Carlin, assistant superintendent for business.

Photo by A. Warner