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MONTROSE, N.Y. The Hendrick Hudson School District must cut $2.6 million from its budget to come under New York States 2 percent tax cap law, but where those savings will come from remains elusive. Budget presentations are scheduled through April 11, the program budget being the largest presentation, accounting for 78 percent of the districts budget.
Program budget presentations will take place on Feb. 29 and March 14. So far, administrative, technology and athletics budgets have been presented, with small cuts or increases. District officials told residents during the public comment section of the agenda that the transportation budget would not be available for another four weeks. It remains to be seen where much of the savings the district must find to come under the 2 percent tax cap will come from.
Im going to be taking no increase this next year, said McCann during the meeting. Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests regarding McCanns compensation were referred to the Empire Centers See Through NY website by the district clerk. The site lists McCanns salary as $279,227 for the 2011 fiscal year, and $259,097 for the 2010 fiscal year.
As per McCann's contract for the 2006 through 2009 fiscal years, McCann was entitled to a 3 percent pay increase annually, and the board is entitled to award an additional merit increase. FOIL requests for McCann's contract through the 2012 fiscal year only provided the 2006 to 2009 contract, 3 percent of McCann's 2011 salary is $8,377.
All budgets presented by district officials are preliminary at this point, most wavered between small increases and small decreases. The athletic budget took a 5.6 percent hit or $33,133, which director Tom Baker said would not affect programming. The athletics budget represents 0.78 percent of the districts targeted $70,696,560 budget.
Technology increased slightly at $13,222, or 2 percent. The technology budget represents 0.87 percent of the districts target budget.
The districts administration budget, as presented at the Jan. 25 meeting, increased by $66,301, which represents 7 percent of the total budget and includes curriculum development, administrators and support staff.
The final budget vote will be on May 15, there is a public hearing on the budget scheduled for May 2.
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