As budget belts tighten all over New York, Long Island's school districts face difficult choices that could affect students for years to come. As the district grapples with escalating pension and benefits costs, along with the need for certain capital improvements including a leaky roof at Weber Middle School, Port Washington has to make those tough decisions 

Voters will do just that on Tuesday, May 17, less than one month away. That’s when the 2011-12 Port Washington School District school budget goes before the public.  At that time voters will also elect two school board members.  

The budget calls for $130,861,023 in spending, a 2.96 increase over the current budget. School officials said the tax levy would increase by about 3.95 percent.

There are two positions on the school board up for election. Incumbent Willilam Hohauser and Alan Baer put in petitions and are running unopposed.

District finds savings

After weeks of meetings, during which the school officials spoke of “shared sacrifice,” the Board unanimously adopted a plan that calls for 2.5 fewer librarians and 2.5 fewer guidance counselors, saving the district $497,090.

The district is also saving an additional $470,000 staggering the school bus schedule. School Superintendent Dr. Geoffrey Gordon had hoped to bring an additional savings of as much as $1.5 million to the district by convincing New York State to repeal a mandate “regarding required seats for ridership even when students walk, drive or are driven to school.” In March, the district surveyed parents, one-third of which said they would opt out of district transportation. However, for now, busing remains another state mandate.

The district is also finding savings through retirement and attrition, the positions including a middle school health teacher, a high school English teacher, and a high school psychologist.

Additional savings come from $1,000 donations from administrators, though the teachers union opted not to give back the $1,500 recommended by the district.

Community feedback

Residents spoke about the impact the budget would have on the community.

Referring to the loss of school psychologist and quoting a local counseling center, Jennifer Heinlein said, “If my kid isn’t well, your kid isn’t safe.” She is concerned about a potential increase in case loads, saying, “That’s when kids fall through the cracks.”

Doug Augenthaler believes the board should stop addressing the budget on a year-to-year basis. He likened the 2011-12 budget to “kicking the can” down the road.

At the April 12 school board meeting, he said, “You really need to think about the long-term structural problems that this district faces, and face them head on.”