Bedford School Budget Goes to Voters; Cuts Recouped

The Bedford Central School District Board of Education has adopted a 2013-14 budget, which means that it will be put on the ballot of a required public vote next month.

The proposed budget is $125,057,000, a spending increase of 1.92 percent from the previous budget. The tax levy, which is the total amount of property tax revenue to be be collected, would be by 3.37 percent. Meanwhile, the tax rates, which are what people owe per $1,000 of assessed property value, are projected to rise by 4.56 percent for Bedford, 0.68 percent for Mount Kisco, 2.30 percent for New Castle, 3.07 percent for Pound Ridge and 5.51 percent for North Castle.

The tax levy technically comes within a state-mandated cap, which is the lesser of 2 percent or inflation, because of exemptions such as some pension payments. The tax rates are not subject to being capped.

The most significant changes to the budget, however, come from adding back, or recouping items that was slated to be cut. For example, the student assistance counselor position at Fox Lane High School, which is held by Lauren Beeson, will remain because of some outside funding that is anticipated. The same is true for a series of modified-level sports at Fox Lane Middle School, with the Fox Lane Sports Boosters Club aiming to pick up the cost. A TV-related position has also been added back; Superintendent Jere Hochman, according to a video of the meeting, explained that he has received interest from entities such as BOCES and the Town of Bedford in the district doing some TV work for them, and underwriting is also viable for funding.

Music rotationals at the middle school and high school, which are smaller group lessons, will be added back in, although at the high school they will be optional for a number of students instead of mandatory.

The changes come as the district is getting more money for the budget’s revenue side. This includes expected outside funding of $104,000, along with using $100,000 of leftover bond money. This means that non-property tax revenue will total more than $9.9 million

However, there are continued signs of belt tightening. The adopted budget calls for cutting a total of 19.5 jobs, down from 21.5 a few weeks ago, and from 30.9 that were considered in an initial version last month.

While recouped items came after scores of students and parents pleaded to the district to save their programs, not every item with support will make it. Clubs at the high school and middle school are still set to be cut, although the district will seek $50,000 in outside funding. Also, the ACES alternative high school program will still be consolidated with Fox Lane.

The tough budget comes as major cost drivers that come from state mandates continue to be of concern.

“The school district continues its trend of keeping the tax levy low and working for every efficiency possible, however, until those in Albany balance the tax cap with promised mandate relief from state imposed cost drivers, budget gaps will continue and cuts will continue in upcoming years,” school board President Susan Wollin noted, according to the district’s announcement.

The largest cost drivers include an increase in required pension contributions, at around $2.8 million, with salaries the second-largest factor at $2.3 million. Health insurance, which will be subject to a district study, according to the video, is another big item, coming in at about $500,000 higher.

School board members noted the tough going this year.

Jennifer Gerken, in a video of the meeting, said it was a “very different” budget process than in previous years.

Suzanne Grant said that it has been a “tricky budget balancing act this year.”

“We received a lot of input, which was wonderful to hear," said Superintendent Jere Hochman.

The budget vote will take place on May 21 and passage is needed in order for it to take effect. If the budget is rejected, the district could either hold another vote - it could potentially include a modified proposal - or adopted a contingency budget, which would mean no levy increase and more than $3.6 million in additional cuts.