Kings Park residents will vote on May 15 whether or not to approve the $80,832,817 budget that was unanimously adopted by the Board of Education Tuesday evening.
The 2012-13 budget is a 2.18 percent increase over the current budget with a tax levy increase of 2.49 percent, which superintendent Susan Agruso, said would result in an anticipated tax rate increase of 2.49 percent as well.
The district received good news this week in the form of a state aid increase of $410,955. That money was used to restore 3.8 teaching positions, including one in grade six and two in grade five. Additionally, the district was able to restore a clerk typist position.
Cuts due to the budget include 4.7 teaching positions, and several non-teaching positions including a mechanic, two custodians, five aides, and one maintenance position.
The consolidation of bus routes will result in the loss of four bus drivers, three of who are retiring.
Kings Park residents can, on average expect to see about a $186.17 increase for the year or about $15.51 monthly.
If the budget does not pass the board has the opportunity to present the same budget again or make changes to the proposed budget and put it out again for a public vote. If the budget were voted down again, a contingent budget would be put into place.
According to Phil Kenter, assistant superintendent for finance, if a contingent budget must be adopted for the next year, that budget must result in a tax levy no greater than the tax levy this year, which means a zero percent increase in the levy.
To see a PDF of the entire budget, visit the photo gallery of this story.
