Special Budget Issue PUBLIC
May
SCHOOLS
OF
THE
TARRYTOWNS
2018
A Letter from the Superintendent and Board President Dear Community Members: The Board of Education and the district administration have completed a months-long review of our annual budget and capital improvement needs of the district. We are pleased to present a multi-layered spending plan to the voting public. Our operating budget of $77,910,552 calls for a modest spending increase of 2.98 percent and a tax levy increase of 1 percent. We are pleased that we will once again be below the allowable New York State tax levy cap. We have remained below the cap since it was imposed seven years ago.
the District’s existing Capital Reserve Fund -2015, and the second seeks approval to borrow $6 million in serial bonds. As a result of prudent long-term financial planning by the district, the proposed capital projects will be “budget neutral.” The reason we can say with authority that both propositions will be budget neutral is as follows: 1. In 2015, the Board of Education created a Capital Reserve Fund to help finance the cost of future facilities improvements. A capital reserve fund is similar to a “savings account” for the purpose of anticipated facilities improvements. The remaining $2.2 million would be used to finance approximately 25 percent of the total project.
Our budget includes funding for all state and federally mandated programs and maintains current programs and services which support the success of all students. That includes our comprehensive academic, athletic and extracurricular offerings and transportation services. We are adding a new shared Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools position, and a teacher and teaching 2018–19 Budget Facts assistant for our Sleepy Hollow Middle School Life Skills program. We have been implementing at a Glance a plan that upgrades technology district-wide Total Proposed Budget.....$77,910,552 and will continue those improvements in the 2018-19 school year. Budget Increase........................ 2.98%
2. Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, the District will begin retiring debt from previous facilities projects. This means that the principal and interest payments which the District pays annually will be reduced. As an example, the 2017-2018 school budget includes $6.2 million in principal and interest One of the most endearing aspects of our school Tax Levy Increase...................... 1.00% payments, however, by the 2020-2021 school district are the historic school buildings sprinyear the principal and interest payments are kled throughout our community. In order to reduced to $5 million. The anticipated principal and interest payments for preserve our assets and keep our students and staff safe, we must consider a the $6 million in new bonds would be approximately $500,000. The result series of overdue improvements to maintain our buildings and facilities in would be approximately $5.5 million in principal and interest payments working order, and ensure that the environment surrounding our students in future budgets, which is $700,000 less than the District is currently day in and day out remains Safe, Warm and Dry. budgeting for principal and interest. Beyond the budget, we are seeking approval for two capital improvement continued on page 4 propositions. One proposition seeks approval to spend $2.2 million from
TUESDAY MAY 15 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE TO VOTE
Tarrytown residents vote at Washington Irving School Sleepy Hollow residents vote at Winfield Morse School
Proposed Tax Levy and Rate Information for 2018–19 Assessed Valuation % of Tax Levy (Based on Full Value) Amount of Tax Levy Tax Rate per $1,000 of Assessed Valuation
Greenburgh
Mount Pleasant
$1,593,886,711
$15,209,864
100%
1.43%
34,372,762
22,218,538
$21.56
$1,460
$ Tax Rate Change
(0.27)
69.45
% Change in Tax Rate
-1.23%
4.99%
Answering Your Questions About the Proposed Budget and Propositions Q: What is the budget increase for 2018-19? A: The 2018-19 proposed budget calls for a spending
• A second proposition calls for spending $2.2 million in funds for capital improvements throughout the District. There would be no impact from this proposition on the tax increase of 2.98 percent over the 2017-18 budget, or an levy or tax rates. In 2015, the Board of Education created increase of $2,253,721. a Capital Reserve Fund to help finance the cost of future facilities improvements. A capital reserve fund is like a Q: Does the proposed budget remain at or savings account for anticipated facilities improvements. below the state-mandated tax levy cap? However, voter approval is required to make use of these A: Yes, the budget remains below the tax levy cap set for funds. This proposition would permit Tarrytown to make the District, and the UFSD Tarrytowns has consistently much-needed safety and security system improvements maintained a prudent financial profile with budgets that have throughout the District, replace boilers and fixtures at the remained at or below the state-mandated tax levy cap for the Winfield Morse School and Washington Irving, remove an past seven years, since the cap was imposed in 2011, and this unstable garage building from the District Administration year proposes a tax levy increase of 1.0 percent. The District property, repair and replace blacktopped surfaces districthas also remained compliant with New York State’s new tax wide, and repair or replace boilers, a section of the roof and freeze credit program, which provided qualified residents some windows at the Tappan Hill School. with tax rebates because the District’s budgets remained under the tax levy cap for two years in a row. • In a third proposition, the District is asking voters to approve an additional $6 million in capital improvements, Q: What accounts for the disparity between but again, the proposition will be budget neutral because it will be funded by retiring some of the District’s existing the proposed tax rate increase for Sleepy debt service. This proposition would finance lighting Hollow residents, and the proposed tax rate improvements, repair or replace blacktop throughout increase for Tarrytown residents? the District, making technology infrastructure upgrades, A: Sleepy Hollow residents, because of the town of Mount upgrade bathrooms, install safety and security systems, Pleasant’s low valuation rate, will pay a tax rate of $1,460 per and ventilation systems. In addition, at John Paulding, this $1,000 of assessed valuation, which represents an increase proposition would replace aging windows, and at Winfield of 4.99 percent. Tarrytown residents, who live in the town Morse, existing auditorium seating and lighting would of Greenburgh, will pay $21.56 per $1,000 of assessed be replaced. At Sleepy Hollow Middle/High School, an valuation, a decrease of 1.23% and a smaller share because existing section of a gravel roof would be replaced and the town of Greenburgh reassessed property at full value and unstable and non-compliant bleachers, press box and stairs because of changes in state equalization rates. would be repaired and replaced. In addition, baseball and softball dugouts would be built at SHM/HS.
Q: Why are there additional propositions on the ballot May 15th? A: In addition to the budget itself, the ballot will include
• The final proposition calls for the use of funds totaling $549,000 to purchase four 70-passenger school buses
three separate propositions that require a public vote.
continued on page 6
Bus Replacement Proposition Multi-Year Plan Funded through the 2017-18 unassigned fund balance—no financial impact on the 2018-19 budget Tarrytown voters will be asked to approve an additional transportation proposition on the May 15 ballot: Currently in Service
(4) 66-passenger school buses:1994 International, 1998 Freightliner 1998 Freightliner, 2004 Thomas (driven 91,000 to 135,000 student miles)
Currently In Service
(1) 20-passenger van (1998 Chevrolet) (driven over 155,000 student miles)
Proposed replacements
4 new 70-passenger school buses 1 new 20-passenger van
Total Cost of Proposition 3
$496,000 $53,000 $549,000
In order to maintain a safe fleet of vehicles that do not require frequent and expensive repairs, the District follows a multi-year vehicle replacement schedule. This proposition authorizes the school district to purchase five vehicles at a total cost of $549,000. Voter authorization qualifies the District for reimbursement by the state for half of the expense. 2
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE TARRYTOWNS
Budget and Facilities Propositions Chart Budget
Amount on Ballot
Impact on Taxes
Explanation
$77,910,552
Greenburgh: -1.23%
The difference in tax rates between Sleepy Hollow residents, who live in Mount Pleasant, and Tarrytown residents, who live in Greenburgh, can be attributed to the fact that Greenburgh recently reassessed all property in that town at full value and changes in equalization rates.
Mount Pleasant: 4.99%
Proposition 2
Proposition 3
$2,200,000
No impact on taxes or real property tax levy.
This proposition calls for the use of Capital Reserve funds that are “restricted” for use on capital improvements only. By wisely saving for the future, the District can use these funds to periodically make capital improvements. Use of the funds requires a public vote.
$6,000,000
Budget neutral due to retiring of some existing debt service payments.
Through prudent planning the District will be “retiring” some bond debt for facilities improvements previously approved by taxpayers. This means that principal and interest payments will be reduced. Any new bond for additional capital improvements requires a public vote. Please refer to our Budget Neutral Proposition chart below, which shows our five-year estimates regarding debt service in the District through the year 2021-22.
Budget Neutral Facilities Proposition—Serial Bonds 7,000,000 6,000,000 5,000,000 4,000,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 0
2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023 Current Principal and Interest
Proposed Principal and Interest
BRIDGES
3
Facilities Propositions Breakdown Chart This breakdown displays the 19 specific capital improvement projects proposed by the District, using capital reserve and debt service funding if voters approve the two additional bonds on May 15. Every school in the District will be impacted by these improvements, including Tappan Hill, for which Southern Westchester BOCES pays Tarrytown to serve the region’s multiply disabled students. The improvement also includes Districtwide projects like safety and security upgrades, ventilation improvements, LED lighting and bathroom upgrades.
Letter from Superintendent and Board President continued from page 1
This is why we refer to the $6 million bond as budget neutral with no further impact on taxes. In addition, the District will be reimbursed by New York State for approximately 44 percent of the project costs, through the State Building Aid Program, amounting to approximately $3.5 million in reimbursements over the life of both propositions. Please know that the scope of the proposed capital improvements was developed over the past two years with the help of our District Facilities Committee, comprised of employees, community members and a representative of the Board of Education. They have worked hard to assess the capital improvement needs necessary to provide a safe and healthy learning environment in our schools while we continue to preserve our valuable assets. Committee members brought a wide range of experiences to the table during their work, including experience in construction, engineering, finance and education. The committee presented its findings to the Board of Education in February.
Building
Description of Work
John Paulding
Window replacement
Morse
Replace auditorium seating and lighting
Morse
Boiler updates and repairs
Washington Irving
Gas Boilers Installation
• Enhance safety and security systems districtwide
District Office
Removal of red garage
SHMS/HS
Replacement of remaining gravel roof
• Install LED lighting, replace blacktop, upgrade bathrooms, and improve technology infrastructure districtwide
SHMS/HS
New press box, bleacher upgrade, stairs to upper field
Briefly, the propositions would accomplish the following:
• Repair aging boilers and replace auditorium seating and lighting at Winfield Morse
SHMS/HS
New dugouts/softball and baseball
• Replace roofing, build and safeguard the press box area, upgrade bleachers and install new dugouts at Sleepy Hollow Middle/ High School
Districtwide
LED lighting
• Install new boilers at Washington Irving
Districtwide
Blacktopping
Districtwide
Blacktopping
Districtwide
Technology Infrastructure
Districtwide
Bathroom Upgrades
Districtwide
Safety and Security System Enhancements
Districtwide
Safety and Security System Enhancements
Districtwide
Ventilation System Upgrades
Tappan Hill
Boiler Replacement (2 boilers & controls)
Tappan Hill
Roof Sectional Replacement
Tappan Hill
Window Sectional Replacement 15% incidental costs
• Replace window sections, roof sections and boilers at Tappan Hill • Replace all windows at John Paulding Proposition 4 would give the District authority to purchase four seventy passenger school buses and one 20 passenger van as part of an ongoing vehicle replacement plan. The cost would be paid for through unassigned fund balance and would have no impact on the 2018-2019 Budget. We take the stewardship of taxpayer funds very seriously in the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns. We have worked hard for many years to explore unique ways to finance our needs, from seeking out alternative energy sources to seeking to secure goverment and private grants. At the same time, we have lobbied and petitioned New York State for our fair share of state aid. Our budget and bond votes will take place on Tuesday, May 15, in tandem with our Board of Education election. Tarrytown residents can vote at the Washington Irving Elementary School and Sleepy Hollow residents can vote at the Winfield L. Morse Elementary School between the hours of 7 am to 9 pm.
TOTAL
Thank you all again for your continued support of our school district and, most importantly, our wonderful students.
*Proposed Capital Reserve Fund Project—in Red
Sincerely,
Christopher Borsari, Superintendent of Schools Mimi Godwin, President, Board of Education BRIDGES
4
2018–19 Budget Expenditures 2017–18
Proposed 2018–19
Instructional Salaries
34,132,561
NonInstructional Salaries
Increase (Decrease)
% Change
35,382,461
1,249,900
3.66
6,937,201
7,152,301
215,100
3.10
327,141
404,797
77,656
23.74
Contractual
4,636,528
4,860,965
224,437
4.84
Materials & Supplies
1,387,483
1,405,228
17,745
1.28
State Aided Programs
368,245
324,237
(44,008)
-11.95
1,487,460
1,336,660
(150,800)
-10.14
258,300
249,424
(8,876)
-3.44
2,562,870
2,507,895
(54,975)
-2.15
17,059,183
17,755,033
695,850
4.08
6,414,859
6,446,551
31,692
0.49
85,000
85,000
0
0.00
75,656,831
77,910,552
2,253,721
2.98
Equipment
Tuition Textbooks BOCES Services Employee Benefits Debt Service Interfund Transfers TOTAL GENERAL FUND
Proposed 2018–19 Budget Expenses by Category Equipment $404,797 Contractual $4,860,965 Salaries/Benefits 60,289,795
Materials/ Supplies $1,405,228 State-aided Programs $324,237 Tuition $1,336,660
Interfund Transfers $85,000 Debt Service $6,446,551
Textbooks $249,424 BOCES Services $2,507,895
2018–19 Budget Revenues 2017–18 Budget
Proposed 2018–19 Budget
50,287,047
50,851,507
564,460
Other Tax Items
8,137,840
8,222,840
85,000
Non-Property Tax Items
1,000,000
1,000,000
0
Charge for Services
1,115,000
1,542,875
427,875
Use of Money and Property
95,500
250,750
155,250
Sale of Property & Comp Loss
0
22,500
22,500
285,000
285,000
0
12,329,263
13,502,899
1,173,636
35,000
35,000
0
Real Property Tax Items
Miscellaneous State Aid Federal Aid
Increase (Decrease)
Interfund Transfers
0
0
0
Appropriated Fund Balance
2,372,181
2,197,181
(175,000)
75,656,831
77,910,552
2,253,721
TOTAL GENERAL FUND
BRIDGES
5
UFSD of the Tarrytowns 200 North Broadway Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 www.tufsd.org School News-Cable Channel 77 Board of Education Mimi Godwin, President John Paine, Vice President Arturo Almanzar, Trustee James Husselbee, Trustee Jennifer Liddy Green, Trustee B. Joseph Lillis, Trustee Diane McCarthy, Trustee
Non-Profit US Postage PAID Permit #91005 White Plains, NY 10605
POSTAL CUSTOMER
CARRIER PRESORT
Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
Superintendent of Schools Christopher Borsari (914) 631-9404 Evelyn McCormack, Editor Maria Ilardi, Art Director The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns do not discriminate on the basis of sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, citizenship, age or disability or any other protected classification in its employment, admissions practices, vocational opportunities or access to and treatment in programs or activities, in accordance with Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Inquiries concerning application of these regulations may be made to the School Business Administrator of the UFSD of the Tarrytowns, 200 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. 10591.
Answering Your Questions About the Proposed Budget and Bonds and one 20-passenger van, as part of a multi-year plan to replace aging vehicles. The purchases will allow the district to safely transport students and will ensure that the vehicles pass rigorous inspections without requiring extensive repairs. The funding proposed will be made from the 2017-2018 unassigned fund balance and have no financial impact on the 2018-2019 budget.
Q. Why will spending for the two new propositions have a neutral impact on taxes? A: As a result of the long term financial planning by the District, the proposals for both capital improvement projects will be budget neutral. This does not mean that there are no costs, but rather that they will not result in school budget increases in the future. In 2015 the Board of Education created a Capital Reserve Fund to finance future improvements. The remaining $2.2 million would be used to finance approximately 25% of the total project. Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, the District will begin retiring debt service from previous facilities projects. This means that the principal and interest payments will be reduced, resulting in future principal and interest payments that are less than the current school year’s. The District will also be reimbursed by New York State for approximately 44% of the projects through the State Building Aid Program.
continued from page 2
Q. Will technology upgrades in Tarrytown continue? A: Our proposed budget includes funding for all state
and federally mandated programs and maintains current programs and services. We have been implementing a plan that upgrades technology district-wide and we will continue with that initiative next year.
Q: How is staffing impacted by the proposed budget? A: We are adding a new shared Foreign Language in the
Elementary Schools position, and a teacher and teaching assistant for our new Sleepy Hollow Middle School Life Skills program.
Q: What new academic programs have been added in the proposed budget? A: The budget proposal enhances curriculum in all our
schools with increased opportunities for professional development and opportunities for newcomers into our district. Middle School students will have the opportunity to take an increased number of elective programs and a new Special Education Life Skills Course. Our Sleepy Hollow High School students will be provided with a Freshman Orientation and a summer Boot Camp, preparing more students for success in honors and AP courses. In addition, the Foreign Language in the Elementary School program will be expanded at Washington Irving.
Need More Information? For more detailed information about the proposed 2018-19 budget, you can visit the Warner Public Library, where copies are available. In addition, you can find a PDF copy of the proposed budget on the School District website at www.tufsd.org. 6
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE TARRYTOWNS