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Schools

State Budget Cuts Spell Trouble for East Hampton Schools

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget cuts would mean at least $1 million would have to be slashed from the district's budget.

No matter the scenario, the East Hampton Board of Education faces tough budget cuts if Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed education budget cuts are made law.

At Tuesday night’s board meeting, Assistant Superintendent for Business Isabel Madison outlined nine different fiscal scenarios for the 2011-2012 school year, all of which would require eventual millions in cuts. They varied according to the percentage by which the district’s proposed budget for the coming year would exceed the current year’s. For example, a budget 2.38 percent higher than the prior year's would require a cut of $1.38 million. At 4.38 percent, the budget would need to trim $3.56 million.

The proposed budget will be presented in April.

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The governor’s proposed fiscal measures include capping property tax increases at either 2 percent or the current rate of inflation, depending on which is lower.

If the tax cap is implemented, the school's would be unable to pitch a significant budget increase, since property taxes pay the bulk of school expenses. The tax cap may be overturned locally under Cuomo’s plan if a local referendum following a majority vote by the local government produces a 60 percent super-majority.

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The governor also plans to cut aid to New York State public schools by a total of $1.5 billion. Madison said that although Long Island schools have historically relied less on state aid than other areas, the effect of a reduction would still be significant.

District Superintendent Ray Gualtieri also said the Triborough Amendment, a law unique to New York, must be repealed in order for a tax cap to succeed. The amendment essentially mandates regular pay raises for non-contracted school staff. Such raises, Gualtieri said, cannot coexist with a tax cap.

Gualtieri added that state aid needs to be distributed more equitably.

"Right now state aid is determined by local property assessments. Which, in a community like this one, don't tell the whole story."  

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