Port School District Seeks $1.6 Million in Savings

The continues to face fiscal stress from both inside and outside the district. 

As the district grapples with complex issues posed by new state mandates and a tax increase cap of 2 percent – unless a supermajority of at least 60 percent approve a higher tax levy.  

Legally, the district could also arrive at a number below the 2 percent tax cap by gaining concessions from existing contracts, without losing student programs or excessing staff, according to the a presentation by , superintendant of schools.

In its latest iteration of the budget presented at the Port Washington School Board meeting on Tuesday at , the district is now looking at a maximum budget of $133,039,27. But to hit that number, the district still needs to achieve $1,614,60 in savings.

Potential reductions include eliminating four elementary sections,  one elementary art program, six PEP teachers – five at the elementary level, on in middle school, and four high school teachers. Other staff reductions could include eliminating security aids, substitutes, a community liaison, and team coaches and club advisors.

Some of the possible non-staff reductions include eliminating out-of-district programs; support materials; high school and elementary supplies; guidance supplies; arts programming; technology training, support and supplies; middle school textbooks; ESL supplies, SAT/ACT supplies and more.

Tuesday's presentations of the draft budget and the 2 percent tax levy cap implications are posted on the district’s website.