Public to vote on LI school districts' budgets

Long Island voters weigh in Tuesday on $10.5 billion in proposed school spending, and this year's stakes are high: Hundreds of dollars in extra property taxes for average homeowners if budgets succeed, vs. widespread layoffs, larger classes and canceled sports teams if they fail.

For the first time in six years, districts will hold budget votes despite uncertainty about how much state aid will be available - from what many consider a "dysfunctional Albany" - to help ease the burden on weary taxpayers.

Failure by Albany political leaders to agree on a timely school-aid package has prompted most districts to project higher tax increases than last year, even while holding the line on spending. Schools account for more than 60 percent of Island property taxes, which rank among the nation's highest.

"A lot of people are angry this year," said Valerie McKenna, a parent in Lindenhurst, which is cutting about 40 teacher positions next year.

"People are hurting," said Laurence Aronstein, superintendent in Glen Cove, which will cut 19 jobs. "Clearly, the public is angry. They're angry about their taxes. I understand the mood of the public. Many people in our community have been hit very hard by the economy."

Lindenhurst and Glen Cove are two of 90 districts on Long Island planning to cut some staff positions, a Newsday survey shows.

District officials expect the crunch to grow even worse next year, with the cutoff of federal stimulus funds now being used to compensate for losses in state aid.

The result: Island districts are planning to spend down only limited cash reserves next year, while holding back hundreds of millions more in reserves as a hedge against future setbacks.

Gov. David A. Paterson and lawmakers are more than a month past the April 1 deadline for a state budget - the first time that's happened since 2004.

The delay frustrates many local school officials.

"Our dysfunctional governor and State Legislature don't seem to work for the people anymore," said Dennis P. Ryan, president of Deer Park's school board, adding he was speaking for himself, not the board.

Average tax increase 3.41 percent

Deer Park's proposed spending increase is less than 1 percent - one of the Island's lowest. But the district is projecting a 2.9 percent hike in its tax levy - revenue raised through local property taxes - due to an expected loss in state aid.

Islandwide, districts are calling for spending hikes next year that average 2.36 percent, and tax hikes averaging 3.41 percent.

In crafting their budgets, many Island school officials sought to avoid the experience of New Jersey, where voters rejected 58 percent of budgets overall, though fewer in suburbs near New York City. The average tax increase there was 4.4 percent.

Paterson has called for $1.1 billion in school-aid cuts statewide, including $172.6 million on the Island, to help plug a state budget deficit. His aides say schools, like other branches of government, must face the fact economic times are challenging and cut expenses.

Taxpayer activists support Paterson's position.

"A lot of us think the state really is out of money," said Andrea Vecchio of East Islip, an executive board member of the Long Islanders for Educational Reform taxpayer organization. "Governor Paterson has a very tough job to do, and we think he's doing a very good job."

Leaders of the taxpayer group say they've helped distribute fliers in 75 districts, listing salaries of school administrators and teachers and calling for "no" votes on budgets that don't freeze taxes or salaries.

Financial pressures have prompted 90 of the Island's 124 districts to cut some staff positions next year. A recent survey by the state Council of School Superintendents found that 1,408 teachers on the Island face potential layoffs next year.

The potential consequences could be particularly severe in Wyandanch, for example, where school officials warn a "no" vote on the proposed $57-million budget could result in layoffs of 14 teachers in addition to nine already eliminated, and in the loss of full-day kindergarten classes and all interscholastic sports. Voter rejection looms as a real possibility: The district is projecting a 13.94 percent tax hike - the highest on the Island.

Residents question big tax hike

Wyandanch officials contend they have no choice but to raise taxes, because the district has been paying off a deficit left by a previous administration and has no cash reserves. Many residents are skeptical.

Christine Hawkins, a parent of three students, says she normally supports school budgets but questions the need for a 13.94 percent tax increase. "I feel it's very high right now," she said. "I would like to ask the superintendent for an itemized bill."

In nine districts, teacher unions have responded to threatened layoffs by agreeing to one-year freezes in contractual raises and other concessions - putting pressure on other unions to do the same.

West Hempstead officials have asked teachers to forego raises this year; the district is losing many students from nearby Island Park who used to generate tuition, and is projecting a 9.4 percent tax hike - the highest in Nassau County.

Teachers have resisted so far. Union president Barbara Hafner says local teacher salary scales - from $47,000 a year for a beginning teacher to $118,000 for the most senior - are among the county's lowest.

"We're not making a lot of money here, and we're all paying taxes," Hafner said. "It's tough."

Island educational leaders hope for additional aid from Albany, Washington or both. The State Assembly has backed a plan to restore $600 million in Paterson's cuts through borrowing, while Congress is considering a $23-billion bill to prevent teacher layoffs.

Delay in approving school aid stems largely from a disagreement among the legislature's Democrat majorities. Assembly Democrats want the $600 million to go directly to schools. Senate Democrats are holding out for $1-billion plus in tax credits for low- and middle-income homeowners and for reviving STAR property tax rebate checks for senior citizens. Senate Republicans have blamed Democrats for the demise of the STAR checks.

One big question: Will any of the money become available in time to help districts with tight budgeting schedules? Revotes on defeated budgets are scheduled for June 15.