Mar. 5, 2014:  Already operating with a bare minimum of discretionary budget items, the Bronxville Board of Education examined a revision of the 2014-2015 proposed budget at its March 1 budget workshop.

Although the proposed budget still stands at $46.3 million, the district was able to reduce expenditures to bring the budget to within $30,167 of the allowable tax levy cap of 1.9 percent. The district calculated its allowable tax levy cap by adjusting for required contributions to the New York State Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) in excess of 2 percent and excluding debt service payments. The board's goal is to adopt a budget within the allowable cap that does not call for reductions in programs.

The proposed budget presents an increase of 2.2 percent, approximately $1 million, over the 2013-2014 budget. According to Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin, personnel costs and related benefits, as well as costs for contracted services, make up the entire increase.

The board of education's finance committee, in an ongoing effort to maintain reserves at appropriate levels and achieve an efficient budget, analyzed reserve balances to determine where surpluses can be drawn down at year-end.

While increased revenues could help bring the budget within the allowable tax levy cap, the district has cut back its tuition program in light of a current record enrollment of 1,717 students. Projections estimate a slight enrollment increase to 1,726 students for 2014-2015.

Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone explained that the proposed 2014-2015 budget accounts for shifts in enrollment as key cohorts move through the schools. The addition of a psychologist would not only relieve the school's high student/psychologist ratio, but the position would also address preschool needs as well as handle referrals.

In the elementary school, an additional grade 2 class section would accommodate an expected bump in enrollment from 111 to 126 students and establish an average class size of 21 students. Improvements to science, technology, and skills support programs for grade 5 would allow teachers to effectively reduce class size by holding half-group instruction.

In the middle school, redistribution of current staff from advisory to add two sections each of English and math would reduce average class size for those subjects to 21.7 students.

Rotation of high school electives to a two-year cycle would reduce the number of under-enrolled English and social studies courses.

The board of education will present a revised budget at its next regular meeting on Thursday, March 20. The meeting will begin at 7:00 pm in the school's multipurpose room.

Pictured here:  The Bronxville School covered in snow--something new.

Photo by A. Warner