Annual school budget vote is May 21

On Tuesday, May 21, residents will head to the polls to vote on a $95,089,284 proposed budget for 2019-20 that continues all current student programs and is below the tax cap. The proposed 2.69 percent tax levy increase, totaling $1,648,633, is below the district’s calculated tax cap by $95,947. In all, the proposed budget would increase spending by 2.45 percent.

Voters will cast ballots on Tuesday, May 21 at one of three locations. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. At the polls, voters will have the opportunity to fill out an anonymous exit survey. District leaders use exit surveys to make decisions and develop future years’ budgets.

ALSO ON THE BALLOT

• A no-cost referendum to purchase six school buses: Voters will also consider a proposition to purchase six school buses at a maximum cost of $607,380. The district would use $350,000 of its bus reserve fund to help offset the cost. About 57 percent of the cost — $347,168 — would be returned to the district in state transportation aid. Therefore, no additional taxes would be needed to purchase the buses.
• Three seats on the board of education: Voters will select from among four candidates to fill three seats on the Warwick Valley Board of Education.  Candidates, in order they will appear on the ballot, are as follows: Eilleen Gagliano, Keith Parsons and Denise Ginley.

The annual budget newsletter will be mailed to all residents in mid May. In the meantime, residents can learn more about the budget by reviewing information below or by attending the next community presentation. 

Polling locations

• Election District 1: Pine Island Firehouse, 684 County Rt. 1, Pine Island
• Election District 2: Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center, Middle School Addition, 225 West Street Extension
• Election District 3: Kings Elementary School, 199 Kings Highway

Warwick’s proposed 2019-20 budget: $48,393,178

Program Budget: $73,426,441 ($71,883,212 in 2018-19)
The Program Budget includes: The salaries and benefits of all teachers, guidance counselors, aides, monitors, psychologists, nurses, social workers and speech therapists.

Capital Budget: $11,740,790 ($11,107,402 in 2018-19)
The Capital Budget includes: Debt service on buildings; bus purchases; tax certiorari and court-ordered costs; and operations and maintenance costs including custodial staff.

Administrative Budget: $9,922,053 ($9,829,135 in 2018-19)
The Administrative Budget includes: The salaries and benefits of all professional members who spend 50 percent or more of their time in administration and supervision. Also included are: clerical staff; public information; curriculum development and supervision; research, planning and evaluation; legal services; and school board-related costs.

A contingent budget would result in reductions

If a proposed budget is defeated by voters, a district has the option of putting the same or a revised budget up for a revote or adopting a contingent budget. If a proposed budget is defeated twice by voters, districts must adopt a contingent budget.

Under the tax levy cap law, if a district adopts a contingent budget, it cannot increase its tax levy from that of the prior year by any amount – a zero percent increase. For Warwick, a contingent budget would delete $138,000 from capital expenses, $25,000 from administrative expenses and $101,000 from program expenses.

Absentee ballots available in the district office

Absentee ballots are available for voters who are unable to vote in person due to illness, physical disability, hospitalization or travel. 

Applications are needed in order to receive a ballot. To request your ballot application, e-mail District Clerk, Susan Laroe at slaroe@wvcsd.org or call 845-987-3000, ext. 10511. If you want a ballot mailed to you, your application must be received by May 13. If you plan to pick up an application and ballot in person you may do so until May 20. Absentee ballots must be returned to the district office by 5 p.m. May 21.