School Board Votes No on BOCES Budget

The Kings Park Board of Education in a 3-0 decision voted not to support the Western Suffolk BOCES administration budget at a meeting on Thursday afternoon citing budget increases and lack of spending cuts.

Three of the five board members who were present; Liz Barrett, Steve Weber and Marie Goldstein decided not to support the budget and called on BOCES to use some of the same cost cutting measures that they say the Kings Park district has.

“The budget is not reflective of the difficult economic times we live in today,” said Weber.

The administrative budget has increased $665,299 over last year's total administrative budget of $10,413 or 6.3% due largely to the cost of post-retirement benefits for employees, according to budget documents.

The administrative budget covers executive salaries as well as equipment, supplies, materials, contracted services and benefits for both active and retired employees. It does not include service for students.

The total proposed administrative charge to the 18 districts that use its services is $3,607,309, a $39,936 increase over 2010-11’s administrative charges of $3,566,373 or 0.65 percent.

Of the 18 distircts who voted on the budget, two voted not to support it with Huntington being the other dissenting vote.  The budget passed 16-2.

In refering to the entire BOCES budget, Weber said,"It didn't appear they made the same type of sacrafices. We made deep cuts, teachers, busing, because of the economy."

 “In light of what we are experiencing in this district and other districts, I will be voting no,” said Goldstein.

“Sacrifices have been made here (in Kings Park). The budget needs to be looked at closer,” said Barrett.

Western Suffolk BOCES Superintendent Michael Mensch was not expecting a no vote from Kings Park. Mensch said that BOCES was able to keep cost increases for programs down because collective bargaining units agreed to increased health insurance contributions for both active and new members. BOCES’ teachers also forfeited 1% of their contractual salary increase of 4.75 percent and he himself waived his contractual salary increase scheduled for July 1, 2011

“To be frank I don’t know what happened in Kings Park yet,” said Mensch. “There was no indication there was going to be a problem. I will usually know going into the day of the vote. I was not aware that there was an issue in Kings Park and periodically that happens.”

The administration budget is the only portion that is voted on. The program part of the budget is separate.

According to Superintendant Dr. Susan Agruso, services and administration are two different budget items.

“Students in Kings Park will continue to be sent though fewer will be going next year due to program selection,” she said.

Community member Anne Carlin who was present at the meeting thanked the board for voting no.

“I just wanted to make sure it didn’t have a negative effect on programs,” she said.

In addition to the budget, school boards were asked to vote on two trustee candidates; Peter Wunsch, who represents Commack and Jeanette Santo who represents Amityville.

Board members present unanimously agreed not to support the candidates.

"They are responsible for the budget that was presented. I don't feel comfortable voting for them," said Weber.

“I have concern over the numbers they have presented,” said Goldstein.

Mensch said he will reach out to the district regarding their concerns. "I will work with them. I have already talked with Susan Agruso about what their concerns were. It is what we did with Northport last year. It doesn't mean we have to agree, just that we know the facts."