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Locust Valley School District
Prepares for Budget Vote

The Locust Valley Board of Education met Thursday May 8th, 2008 at the Locust Valley Middle School's Mini Theater to prepare for their upcoming budget vote. The meeting was the last chance for residents, parents, and students to comment on the budget before the May 20th, 2008 vote.
Dylan Ebrahimian, a junior at Locust Valley High School, opened the meeting with a musical performance on the violin after which the proposed budget of 67,302,921, a 3.49 million dollar increase, was announced for the final time.
LVCSD told local residents and taxpayers that the increase of 5.47 percent will allow the school district to implement a number of new programs including an elementary school math program and new academic offerings at the high school. It will also allow Locust Valley to maintain the funding for existing academic programs and services like the Pass Program, which they say meets the needs of high risk students in danger of graduating behind their class or dropping out.
In a presentation by Locust Valley Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Richard Shear, those in attendance learned that the Pass Program, which stands for Personal Academic Support Service, provides students with opportunities to discuss ongoing personal issues with adult mentors. The connection created through this opportunity, they say, has raised the graduation rate of Locust Valley High School students from 88 percent in 2002 to 99 percent in 2006. "When we implement a budget there are not many factors in which the board has control," said Dr. Shear, "and it is programs like this that are at risk when a budget does not pass."
Programs like Pass are also a factor in how and why the district saves money, allowing for increases in the budget. Because a number of students are now having their needs met within the school, the district no longer has to outplace high risk students. According to the district, not only does this save the district money, but it complies with federal and state mandates that require students to be in the least restrictive learning environment.
Another way the school district saves money is through cooperative bidding, explained Adriana Silver, Assistant Superintendent for Business for the Locust Valley School District. "Cooperative bidding is when a number of school districts or other entities work together to prepare a cooperative bid for the best services that are out there." Through cooperative bidding Locust Valley is able to share expenses with other districts for services like actuarial services and fuel oil.
Despite the District's presentation of programs that benefit from the money, budget increases cause many residents to remain concerned. Anita MacDougall of Oyster Bay questioned the salaries of top officials in the school community. "Look at the expense that we have. Locust Valley is over 29,000 dollars average cost per child. Most of this money is not going to the children. It is going to the enormous salaries and incredible array of perks for the staff." This in light of the recent Newsday articles on Long Island superintendent salaries and pensions.
As the budget vote approaches, LVCSD officials claim that residents are keenly aware of how Locust Valley School District will allocate the budget saving money for the district, utilizing funds for the good of the school community, and maintaining the salaries of its staff. "We are doing everything for all our children from the number one student in the class to number 200," said Locust Valley resident and parent Jeanne Zaino. "This is important for the people voting for the budget to know."
According to MacDougall though, it is also important for residents to know that "the rules have to be changed, and unfortunately there is no way change this unless we say no to the budget."
Voters in Locust Valley CSD, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Glen Cove and North Shore School Districts, among others island-wide, will vote for their budget and Board of Education members on Tuesday, May 20th. For detailed profiles on Board of Education Candidates in Locust Valley, visit theleaderonline.com.

• Carolyn Paredes