"The budget is still a work in progress," reminded Glen Cove Board of Education President Richard Tortorici at the March 10 meeting. "The numbers your hear tonight remain fluid." With that, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Larry Aronstein offered his presentation of the second draft of the proposed 2008-2009 school budget. He began with cost savings, many of which were included in the first draft, but stated that an additional reduction in technology has added a $40,000 savings to the proposed budget. Additionally, he said, Hendrickson Bus Company has agreed to charge the district only the CPI (consumer price index) increase, saving Glen Cove $150,000.

Administration will continue to look for savings by lowering expenditures, the superintendent vowed. Currently, the proposed budget stands at $67,472,044, with a projected year-to-year budget increase of 2.95 percent and a projected tax levy increase of 4.89 percent. Dr. Aronstein commented that at a recent lunch with local school district superintendents, his lunchmates were talking of budget increases "as high as 5, 6 and 7 percent and wanted to know how we can just have a year-to-year increase of under 3 percent. I told them we ask for just what we need and no more, and work on a 'bare bones' budget."

Again, Dr. Aronstein reminded residents that the projected contingency budget tax levy, should the budget be voted down, stands at 5.91 percent, one full percent over the proposed increase. In other words, he said, a vote in favor of the budget would result in lower taxes than a vote against it. Also, under a contingency, or austerity, budget, the district cannot make purchases that exceed $1,000 and is prohibited from doing any capital projects. With Glen Cove's current emphasis on improving the district's facilities, many anticipated improvements would need to be suspended. Assistant to the Superintendent Kevin Wurtz added that under contingency, the district is obligated to pay tax certioraris "off the top of the budget," whereas if the budget passes, they can be paid from the excess fund balance or from reserve funds.

Dr. Aronstein announced two "evenings of open discussion between the school and community" at which the administration and board of education will be on hand to listen to any and all questions and suggestions from the public. The first will be held at Landing School on Wednesday, March 19; the second is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 at Connolly School. Both meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The next Glen Cove Board of Education meeting is on Monday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. at the high school. The final budget review and adoption by the board will be Monday, April 14, with the budget hearing set for Monday, May 5. Residents will vote on the budget, as well as on three open board seats, on May 20 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.