Superintendent of Schools Proposes Cuts to Meet Tax Cap

During the Westhampton Beach School District's last regular meeting, Superintendent Mike Radday proposed several cuts that he says could help ensure that a budget, which falls within the state's two percent tax cap, is adopted.

Radday said that the reality of meeting the tax cap is not as simple as just  rolling over last year's budget —  the district is looking at a 3.9 percent spending increase just in contractual salaries and benefits, leaving a gap of $1, 516,032 to start.

To ensure that the budget comes in under the tax cap, Radday said he came up with a list of proposed cuts, which he said he does not endorse, but is presenting them as part of his responsibility as a superintendent.

"I need to be clear that making these cuts would negatively impact the educational experiences of our students," he said and added, "This community has worked with the Board of Education over many years to build a world-class public school system here in Westhampton Beach – and they've done so in a fiscally responsible manner.  As we consider the budget options going forward, we need to decide as a community whether we want to allow an arbitrary tax cap to deconstruct an educational program this community has worked so hard to build.  In the end, I think we need to adopt a budget that maintains the quality programs our students deserve, while being sensitive to the needs of our taxpayers who are paying the bills for those programs."

The following is the list of cuts that Radday presented:

• Elimination of the Enrichment Program through the cut of a Full-Time Elementary Teacher

• Increase class size in Grade 2 from 14 to 19 through the elimination of one full-time Elementary Teacher

• Eliminate Critical Literacy Program in Grade 8 (Students would have half-year study hall in lieu of Critical Literacy) through the cutting of one full-time Reading Teacher

•  Reduction in elective offerings in Ceramics, Computer Graphics, and Drawing & Painting - resulting in increased sizes and more students in study halls through the cut of an Art Teacher

• Less general music instruction with the elimination of a Music Teacher

• Elimination of American Sign Language Program

• Increase in class sizes in Spanish II (from 22 to 25) and Spanish IV (from 20 to 30)

• Elimination of Skills for Adolescence in Grade 7. Students would have study hall in lieu of Skills for Adolescence.

• Decrease in non-mandated speech improvement services by cutting a full-time Speech Teacher

• Frequency of course offerings would be reduced and class sizes in E-Commerce and Web Design would increase from 20 to 30 and 23 to 30 respectively. More students in study halls with cut of a business teacher

• Elimination of Digital Literacy in Grade 7. Students would be assigned to study hall in lieu of Digital Literacy with cut of technology teacher

• Cut Security Guard — Less supervision available as remaining staff will need to cover larger areas.

• Cut full-time clerical — High School main office and guidance will need to share resources and operate with one less clerical employee.

• Cut full-time Custodial Worker — Elimination of custodial position will result in remaining custodial workers cleaning larger areas.

• Cut two part-time monitors — Two monitor positions will be eliminated at the ES. Cafeteria and recess supervision will be restructured.

• Elimination of Varsity Bowling Team Removes non-traditional athletic opportunity for students.

• Elimination of Second Middle School Teams — Elimination of second teams in Boys and Girls Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Girls Volleyball will result in more than 100 student-athletes being “cut” from MS teams.

• Elimination of second teams in Boys and Girls Basketball — Reduction of supervision needs through the elimination of teams and restriction in the number of night contests.

• Elimination of Adult Education Program — will save the District $41,754.

• Increase Summer Recreation Tuition — Summer Recreation tuition will be increased to cover the entire cost of the program.

Radday's full presentation is attached to this article.

What cuts do you think the school district should make? Post a comment below.