Westhampton Beach Schools Facing Million Dollar Budget Gap

The Westhampton Beach School District is a little over $1 million shy of closing its budget gap.

"We need to close the gap in order to adopt a budget that falls within our allowable tax levy limit," said Mike Radday, superintendent of schools.

According to Radday, the district is facing a loss of $140,000 in state aid and $220,000 from a tuition agreement with the Tuckahoe school district.

In addition, Radday said teacher retirment costs are projected to go up 34.7 percent, health insurance up $548,084, and contractual teacher salaries are slated to increase by $1,065,775.

The district did attempt to negotiate with the teacher's union for a salary freeze, however, the union rejected the request, according to a report on 27east.

To stay within the state's two percent budget cap, Radday said cuts will be necessary and several proposed cuts will be on the table during a board meeting set for 7 p.m. Monday at the Westhampton Beach High School library.

The following is a list of proposed cuts:

Athletics:

• Varsity Bowling
• Junior Varsity Boys’ Volleyball
• Junior Varsity Cheerleading
• Middle School Second Teams
• Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball
• Girls’ Volleyball
• Baseball and Softball
• Transportation and Chaperone Pay

Clubs:

• Jason Project, Elementary School
• Homework Club, Middle School
• Writers & Poets Club, Middle School
• Newspaper Typesetter, High School

Instructional:

• Fifth Grade Section - 1 teacher, Elementary School
• Third Grade Section - 1 teacher, Elementary School
• Instructional Coordinators - .2 teachers, Elementary School
• American Sign Language Program - .6 teaches - .6 teachers, High School
• Latin Program - .4 teachers, Middle School and High School
• Music - 1 teacher, District-wide
• Art - 1 teacher- High School
• Special Education / Math - 1 teacher, High School
• Business - 1 teacher, High School
• Skills for Adolescence -.8 teachers, Middle School
• Physical Education - .2 teachers, Middle School
• Reading - Critical Literacy Program - .4 teachers, Middle School

Transportation:

• Eliminate 4:30 PM Late Bus Run

The budget is expected to be adopted by the board on April 22 with a public hearing to follow.

Related Reading:

• Local Schools Set To Receive More School Aid

For more school news, click here.

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