School District Voters Pass 2011-2012 Budget

Kings Park residents on Tuesday passed a $79,111,079 budget for the 2011-21012 by a vote of 1844 to 943, a move that will raise the tax rate by 2.92%.

This year’s budget produced a challenging climate for schools across Long Island. Kings Park faced a $1.3 million cut in state aid as well as a gap of $2.5 million due to in part to mandated costs such as health care and pensions. The budget includes $4.99 million taken from fund balance and reserves.

 The estimated rate of tax per household at an assessed rate of $6,000 is $17.73 per month.

The budget eliminated 23.5 teaching positions, late bussing and three assistant coaching positions.  The majority of excised positions occurred at the elementary level. According to the district, athletic, music and arts programs were spared. Administratively, one payroll supervisor was cut, a bus driver and two cafeteria aides.

 Residents also voted to pass Budget Proposition #2, which authorized the board to use capital reserve funds not to exceed $1,100,000 to replace the roof at R.J.O. Intermediate School in a vote of 1971 to 736.

Board of Election Trustee Marie Goldstein who ran uncontested retained her seat with 1734 votes.

Kings Park School Superintendent Dr. Susan Agruso said that the result was wonderful.

"A special thanks to all who came out and voted. We thank you for your support," she said. "Now we can put on a new roof."