Herald Schools

East Rockaway school board proposes $40.2M budget

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East Rockaway School District officials adopted a $40,298,143 proposed budget for the 2019-20 school year at last month’s Board of Education meeting. The budget vote is scheduled for May 21 at East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The tax levy increase — the total amount that a district must collect in property taxes to meet expenses — is set at 2.94 percent, which is below the district’s allowable tax cap. The budget is $875,200 more than the 2018-19 spending plan.
“The Board of Education and administration of the district have worked diligently and are proud to have been able to present a proposed budget that falls not just within, but below, our allowable tax levy cap,” Superintendent of Schools Lisa Ruiz said. “The proposed budget maintains all programs and includes many exciting improvements and additions for our students.”
Ruiz added that officials have posted budget information on the district’s website and have mailed a detailed budget brochure home to residents. She encouraged residents to remember to vote when the polls open.
District officials will also use $760,000 from an appropriated fund balance and $345,000 in reserves to help further contain the tax impact on the community.

The proposed budget includes an emphasis on security, a new EMT class and a course in anatomy and physiology at the high school, the continuation of the 1:1 tablet initiative from fifth through 12th grade, the expansion of the girls’ cheerleading squad, the implementation of a six-day cycle for the middle school and high school, universal acceleration for eighth grade science and continued support for the high school’s summer program.
In addition, the spending plan also covers the implementation of a new third-grade science class, a new math program for kindergarteners through second-graders, math and science E-textbooks for students in seventh through ninth grade and new administrative workstations district wide as part of the technology replacement cycle.
Capital improvements covered under the budget include the expansion of the high school parking lot, art room upgrades, exterior door replacements at Centre Avenue, concrete repair work and sink replacements at Rhame Avenue.
For more information about the budget, visit eastrockawayschools.org.