Budget Discussion Centers on Board Goal of Three Percent Increase

As the Three Village Central School District continues to develop its 2011-12 budget, members of the Board of Education expressed a desire on Tuesday for flexibility concerning the board's previous goal of a three percent tax levy increase.

A three percent increase translates to $3.7 million, according to the board's March 8 presentation of updated budget figures. A rollover budget including all current programs, staffing and services would have increased the budget by $13 million, or 7.8 percent. That leaves a $9.7 million gap which would need to be eliminated through program cuts and other alternative measures if a three percent increase were to be implemented.

"As I've stated before, I'm not comfortable with a hard goal of a three percent levy," board president John Diviney said. "But I think four percent is too high."

Trustee Diane Peritore said she would like to see the increase kept as close to three percent as possible.

"Families in Three Village are hurting," she said, citing an increase in the number of families using a local food pantry from 11 last year to 29 this year.

Trustee Jonathon Kornreich said he would like to have some flexibility on the matter, and Diviney reiterated that he has never wanted to commit to a concrete number.

The discussion recalled the board's previously stated goal, released on the district's Web site on Oct. 26, which reads:

"Develop a two year financial projection for the district that accounts for potential expenditures, revenue sources and economic trends with a target of up to 3% increase to the tax levy for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 academic years."

Another special board of education meeting is set for Tuesday, March 15 at 8 p.m.