Budget Issue
A Guide to the Scarsdale Schools Budget 2014-15 Throughout the fall and winter, at seemingly countless meetings with the public, the Board of Education listened to residents. The Board heard repeatedly that it should be fiscally prudent, but at the same time, it should sustain and preserve the level of education that is the hallmark of the Scarsdale schools. The proposed 2014-15 budget seeks to achieve both goals. It p re s e r ve s t r a d i t i o n a l elementary school class size and adds staff to accommodate rising high school enrollments. It will sustain a broad program of academics, ar ts, and
athletics and enhance ongoing initiatives in critical thinking, global learning, and global benchmarking. It invests in research and technology, most notably by continuing to fund the internationally acclaimed Center for Innovation. The budget includes five additional teaching positions at the elementary level to maintain class-size practice, and three additional teaching positions at the High School (in math, science, and social studies) to accommodate increased course enrollments in those departments. Although the Board didn’t
Total Budget Tax Levy* Estimated Scarsdale Tax Rate Estimated Mamaroneck Tax Rate**
use the state-mandated tax cap as a target, proposed tax levy growth is below the 3.94 percent ceiling applicable in Scarsdale. (While the cap is advertised as imposing a 2 percent limit, actual percentage levels vary by school district based on various factors.) Tax rate growth is currently projected at 3.76 percent tax for Scarsdale and 1.42 percent in Mamaroneck. The difference reflects state and county formulae the District does not control. Budget growth is 2.99 percent. As Superintendent Michael McGill noted in an address to
the faculty in March: “We’re witnessing a struggle for the soul of America’s public schools. Is education a test score or something more profound and transformative? Are we mainly interested in making schools more efficient or in providing an education that’s more effective? Are we buying a commodity or investing in the future?” At its meeting on April 22, 2014, the Board of Education unanimously adopted the budget plan described on these pages. The Scarsdale community will have the opportunity to vote on this plan at the polls on May 20.
2013-14
2014-15
$ Difference
% Growth
$143,899,713
$148,200,685
$4,300,972
2.99%
130,650,863
135,761,527
5,110,664
3.91%
$893.38
$926.99
$33.61
3.76%
$15.81
$16.04
$0.22
1.42%
*Tax levy growth is less than the New York State maximum allowable levy limit calculated for Scarsdale. ** Mamaroneck’s assessments are at 100 percent of market value
See the BOE Budget Presentation and Responses to Community Groups on
Cablevision channel 77 or FIOS channel 27 Visit our website (www.scarsdaleschools.org) for viewing times
VOTE • Tuesday, May 20 • 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Middle School Gymnasium