Oceanside School District unveils first part of proposed 2019-20 budget

At a budget workshop on Feb. 13, Oceanside School District officials revealed the first part of the proposed spending plan for the 2019-20 school year.

Christopher Van Cott, the district’s superintendent of business, led the presentation and explained the administrative and capital sections of the plan, which make up 22 percent of the proposed budget.

District officials did not disclose information regarding the overall budget amount or tax levy; however, they will be covered by the third workshop on March 20, according to Van Cott. “At this time, I can say that we are working very hard to insure that all student programs and services remain intact for 2019-20,” he wrote in an email to the Herald.

District officials anticipate increased spending for furniture and equipment that may need repairs throughout the year and on general renovations and operational software, among other building maintenance and administrative expenses.

Notably, officials predicted a 14 percent increase, from $167,500 to $191,500, in system service contracts due to the increase in security initiatives at the schools.

School Nos. 6, 7 and 9 now have camera surveillance from 3 p.m. to midnight. Officials seek to expand this security measure in the coming year.

“Since our pilot year continues to go extremely well and the program is really beneficial to have that extra support, we are proposing that we do it for all of our buildings after hours,” Van Cott said.

Last year, the district established a capital reserve fund through voter approval. The fund sets aside reserves for larger projects that the district would otherwise need to borrow money for.

Part of the overall budget proposal includes moving $533,000 into a capital reserve fund. This money will cover security system upgrades, new playgrounds at School Nos. 2 and 4 and a new electronic message board at Oceanside High School.

This year, there will also be a separate ballot measure to use money from the capital fund to fix the turf field at the high school, as well as replacing three doors there. These projects are not to exceed $800,000, Van Cott said, and qualify for 45 percent state building aid.

“I would stress the fact that — besides it not being any cost to the taxpayer — it’s also aidable,” said board President Sandie Schoell. “So there will be money coming back.”

In addition, district officials anticipate increases in BOCES and transportation spending and noted that in the 2018-19 school year, the district received $1.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively, in state aid.

Van Cott also noted that every five years, the district is required to conduct water testing, asbestos testing and a facilities survey, which all fall in the 2019-20 school year, resulting in additional expenses from the current budget. These costs are slightly offset by an 8 percent decrease in electricity spending and a 36 percent decrease in gas costs.

“I would be remiss seeing electricity if I didn’t say the word ‘solar,’” said resident Herb Pitowsky. “And I’m happy to see we’re doing the five-year building condition survey by our engineers because it would be a perfect time to have them analyze the situation and potentiality for solar being introduced in the district to further save in or utility costs.”

Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Harrington responded that the board planned to discuss the issue.

District-wide postage spending is also anticipated to decrease by 14 percent. Pitowsky suggested using recycled paper for district-wide newsletters to cut down on these costs.

“There are more people that actually read those newsletters than you think,” Harrington said at the meeting. “We have 23,000 community members that don’t have kids in schools, so they do like to receive it and if we are going to do it, we want to make sure it is something we are proud of.”

The next budget workshop is March 6 and will cover instruction, special education, athletics, fine and performing arts and technology. Residents are encouraged to attend.