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The proposed budget totals $79.4 million. A 6.9 percent increase would translate to $5,137,668 more than the 2012-13 school year budget. It would carry a tax levy increase of 3.5 percent this year, which translates to $1,278,662, according to district officials.
A complete budget presentation can be viewed on the district's website.
The district has established a budget hotline to obtain ideas and input from the public on the budget. Community members are encouraged to call 914-737-3300, Ext. 300, to leave a comment.
“As a board we need to hear from the community on this matter,” Board of Education President Joe Urbanowicz said. “We need to provide the education our kids need to compete in a global world, but we need to be efficient in providing this quality education.”
The district held a community budget forum March 9 to present the proposed budget for the 2013-2014 school year. At the meeting, members of the community, parents and teachers gathered in the Peekskill Middle School cafeteria to meet with administrators and to discuss ideas on how the district might cut costs during the budget process.
Suggestions included acquiring a grant writer for the district, eliminating overtime for district employees, hiring more part-time staff and moving toward more technology-based programs to reduce staff costs.
The budget ideas will be discussed again at the next Board of Education meeting on March 19, which will take place at 7 p.m. in the administration building located at 1031 Elm St.
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