All photographs © FCharles Photography

Back to school and back to work.

The school spending debate has been quiet this summer. (Maybe the record heat has gotten to us all!) Still, there are developments to keep in mind before Hastings schools open in the fall. Here is a brief update:

NEW TEACHER CONTRACT

Representing over 60% of the district's operating expenses, the contract with the Hastings Teachers Association is a key piece to controlling costs over the next few years. The new agreement will provide savings in several areas:

•   Salary increases will progress from a freeze in 2009-10, to an increase of 1.5% for 2010-11, and 1.75% for 2011-12. This averages to 1.1% over three years, and is down from a previous district average of 3.5%. It also compares favorably with recent agreements reached in Pelham (2.5%), White Plains (2.2%), Rye (1.7%) and Clarkstown (1.4%).

•   Health-care contributions by teachers will increase from 9% to 13%. This slightly betters the state average of 12.1%, as reported in the NYS School Boards Association's annual teacher contract survey.

•   Changes in sick-leave pooling and reductions in staffing to track enrollment will lead to further efficiencies. One major expense that the district cannot control in its teacher contract is its mandated contribution to the state-run pension program, which is expected to increase this year. However, the adoption of a new employee health-care plan and the early retirements of 12 tenured teachers are key factors in this year's reduced budget and will continue to provide the district with significant long-term savings.

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

Last month Interim Superintendent Timothy Connors has began his year-long term in Hastings. Heading into the new school year, we look forward to news from the Board of Education about their process and plans for filling this position on a permanent basis.

For some context on the challenges the search will entail, see this article from The Journal News by clicking here.

DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM OPENING

While the position of curriculum director is a major administrative expense it also provides opportunities for ensuring school excellence, and in the past has led to savings for the district. Addressing this vacancy will require the board and community to articulate how we can balance our support of quality programming with the need for fiscal prudence.

CUTS IN SCHOOL AID FOR 2010-11

The NY State budget that passed in early August will bring $1.4 billion in cuts school aid. This will result in an estimated $491,000 drop in funding for the Hastings USFD, according to an analysis from the Alliance for Quality Education. The budget passed here in May already anticipated about $345,000 of this loss, so the district will need to look at what the final numbers are and what the impact will be this year.

PROPERTY-TAX CAP LEGISLATION

Enacting a property-tax cap on schools and local governments remains an open dispute in Albany, and has become a leading campaign issue for the upcoming state elections. A proposition that would limit growth to 4% (or 120% of the inflation rate, whichever is lower) was passed in the Senate with bipartisan support (51-8), including that of local representative Andrea Stewart Cousins. However, Speaker Sheldon Silver would not take it up for vote in the Assembly, calling the measure flawed. Meanwhile Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is advancing a 2% cap, Senate and Assembly Republicans are each advocating their own plans, and local Assemblyman Richard Brodsky is promoting an alternative package of property-tax reforms.

For an overview on the tax-cap debate, see this article from The Journal News by clicking here.

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