District Eyes 2.7 Percent Tax Levy Bump

Faced with the possibility of 31.5 student class size for next year’s sixth grade classes, the Kings Park School district is proposing a higher tax levy, which would help to avoid such class sizes.

The district is proposing a 2.7 percent tax levy increase, an adding $130,000 back to the budget and would restore a sixth grade teaching position, a clerical position and one grounds person.

“One of the biggest concerns we had was a 31.5 class size in grade six,” said superintendent Susan Agruso at last Thursday’s budget workshop. “We did not consider that to be a proper thing to do.”

Teachers in the sixth grade work in teams of two to cover the core subjects. Agruso said she is proposing an 11th teaching position for the grade, which would drop the class size to 28.6.

“We are able to offer them all electives and a smaller class size,” said Agruso.

The state set cap for the district is 2.9 percent, which if used, would boost the budget an additional $140,000.

A 2.7 percent tax levy would increase the budget by $130,000 and set the budget at $80,539,580.

Proposed cuts to the budget include phasing out French-beginning in grade seven, decreasing electives, consolidated bus runs and the elimination of four bus drivers, three of which, according to the district, are due to retire.

The district will hold its fourth and on Saturday, March 24 at 9 a.m. at the high school.