Schools
Merrick BOE Adopts Proposed 2013-14 Budget
Editor's Note: This article was written by Chris Boyle.
The Merrick School District unanimously voted to adopt its official 2013-2014 budget, and it will now go to a public vote on May 21.
Superintendent Dr. Dominick Palma said that the budget that the district has spent months carefully planning is not only fiscally sound, but it also includes no cuts to existing programs or staff.
“We are proposing a budget that is within the property Tax Levy cap,” Palma said. “It will fully fund our programs for next year. You will see similar programs to what we have now...smaller class sizes, great support services, improved technology and keeping the buildings really up to par.”
The 2013-2014 budget comes in at $45,223,466, a 4.47 percent increase over the previous year’s budget of $43,287,814. The Tax Levy is right at the New York State-allowed cap of 3.43 percent.
Board of Education President Gina Piskin praised the district and its members for putting together a budget that managed to put the education of the children of Merrick first and foremost, despite the trials of cuts to state aid, unfunded mandates and the tax cap.
“Thank you so much for your hard work, Dr. Palma, the board and the administrators,” she said.
The public vote on the 2013-2014 budget will be held on May 21 at Norman J. Levy Lakeside School from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dr. Palma also gave an update the 2013-2014 BOCES budget, which is currently in the works.
“On Wednesday, April 17, the Board of Education meets to vote on the administrative component of the BOCES budget,” Palma said. “Every Board in Nassau County votes on it on the same day. We will also be voting on the BOCES trustees that day as well.”
Dr. Palma also encouraged the public to turn out for the upcoming Merrick Public Library budget vote, which is set to be held on April 16 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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