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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. May 11, 2009 UPDATED WITH MTA TAX REIMBURSEMENT CLARIFICATION FROM STATE, 12:55 P.M. UPDATED BY STATE, 3:10 P.M.: Superintendent of  Schools Timothy Connors, speaking in an exclusive WHITE PLAINS WEEK “Special Report” this week said he would have a final tally  tonight on the number of  positions the district would retain based on how many administrators and  service personnel eligible for retirement,  took the district’s one time offers of $25,000 and $10,000 “buyouts” in exchange for accumulated sick days.

 

Connors said thanks to retirements, attrition only 2.5 teachers would lose their jobs, and at this time only 11 Teaching Assistants (down from 24) would be cut with final tally due tonight.

 

The Superintendent said holding this year’s budget increase to 3/4 of a percent put the Board and the incoming Superintendent in good position if next year’s Contingency Budget increase is 0%, which is quite possible, in his opinion.

 

 

Breakfast with Tim Connors: Special Report: Tim Connors on WHITE PLAINS WEEK this morning at 8. The WPW Special Report may be seen at 8 AM all this week on the local cable access channels and worldwide, any time, on www.whiteplainsweek.com

 

He made the remarks on a Special Report Edition of White Plains Week dealing exclusively with the School Budget which can be seen all this week at 8 A.M. on Cablevision Channel 76 and Verizon FIOS Channel 45. It may also be viewed  any time, 24 hours a day right now at www.whiteplainsweek.com. Just click on “SPECIAL REPORT” with Windows Media Player

 

Here are the highlights:

 

 

In a wide range of topics, the Superintendent said the district decided not to cut the budget any farther, because further cuts would impact class size and the programs the district is accustomed to, but the budget prepares the district for an expecting low threshold of “contingency budget” next year.

 

Final $15 Million Infrastructure Improvements Necessary to get $6 Million in State Reimbursement

 

He said that the district decided to go ahead with completing the infrastructure improvements to schools using $15 Million more in borrowing this year, because otherwise the district would lose some $6 Million in state reimbursement for construction which would be paid for at the end of the project, meaning in essence the district is paying $15 Million plus interest to get back $6.6  Million from the state (in essence paying for the high school  Loucks Field artificial turf and stand renovation).

 

 

District can handle increasing birth rate. 

 

The Superintendent said that even though the birth rate in the city is growing,  that the new Post Road School could absorb increases at the elementary level, and that middle school and high school enrollments were expected to decrease. He said the city would not see a 1,000 student increase “for a long time.”

 

He said Highlands and Eastview Schools, despite being 70 years old would not need replacing in the years ahead, but Highlands would need replacement of science labs and windows.

 

How MTA Payroll Tax Reimbursement Happens Not Clear. 

 

Connors said that even though the state-enacted MTA Payroll Tax was said by the Governor’s Office will be reimbursed to the school districts, the district is still forced to collect it, and the state has not given the districts an indication how that money will be reimbursed, so the district is keeping it in the budget. He said the district has to collect it, how they get it back is not clear.  Connors said. “We’re wating for the state to tell us exactly what it (reimbursement) means.”

 

 

State Senator Vincent Leibell of  Brewster pointed out the lack of clarity as to how school districts would be paid back in a news conference Friday.  A call has been placed to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance by WPCNR, asking for clarification on how the money being collected on the MTA tax will be reimbursed, whether it will be given in the form of more state aid.

 

Susan Burns, with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Press Office, told WPCNR Monday afternoon, that according to Part B of legislation S-5451, enacting the MTA Payroll Tax Bill, the text of which is not apparently available yet on the New York State Senate website, “the School Districts will be reimbursed commencing in June for MTA Payroll taxes paid from September 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010 and will be reimbursed for that sum in June, 2010.” Ms. Burns added that Governor David Paterson has promised to make an appropriation covering the reimbursement in the 2010-2011 state budget. Ms. Burns confirmed at 3:10 Monday afternoon  the MTA Payroll tax payments school districts collect for the state will BEGIN  to be collected September 1, 2009.  She said businesses, though must collect the tax retroactive to March 1,2009.

 

The Bill Enacted may be read at http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S05451&sh=t

 

Class Size Drives Budget

 

Connors said in defense of the school district refusing to cut more from the budget than they did allowing the incoming new Superintendent leeway in raising the budget next year,  that the City of White Plains community has always felt small class size was important, and to lower budget farther would compromise that, and that was why the budget was not lowered.  The budget in fact has increased slightly, 3/4 of 1%. 

 

Asked why positions weren’t simply not filled, Connors said that through the  community forums and talks with the community, the city was reluctant to increase class size and to leave positions vacant would require increases in class size, and “the board is not committed to do that.”

 

The Superintendent said that an improvement in the economy would help the school budget as well as a leveling off of certiorari settlements.

 

Predicts possible 0% Increase Allowed in Contingency Budget Allowed Next Year.

 

Connors commented about the situation newly hired Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Clouet will face: “The steps taken here  (on the 2009-10 Budget) have been proactive and(the Board) made tough decisions that will enable him to move forward. The Contingency Budget next year could be a zero increase,  (and with a .75% increase this year), enable the Board and the new superintendent to make decisions (for 2010-11) that are educationally and fiscally sound.”

 

More Data on performance to come.

 

Asked if the additions of a new Manager of Data Processing and a second highly paid data executive last August would result in same-year reporting of district achievement results, Connors was noncommittal, saying report cards came from the state and they were two years behind. He said the district was in the process of implementing new software enabling the district to use the “Infinite Campus” program for performance reporting. Connors said it would be in place next fall and  “help us deliver more data across all aspects.”

 

 

For the last eight years, the Board of Education has complained about the district inability to report longitudinal studies of the grades, following their performance through each year. The district has demonstrated how each grade in a particular level performs annually but has never published clear indications of how one group of students performs year to year, though this can be done quite simply by using state statistics which the district has not done.

 

Middle School Scores Up

 

Connors pointed out the rise in achievement test scores in the White Plains Middle Schools hitting the 80% mark up from 50% a few years ago, crediting emphasis on the elementary school curriculum.

 

Hopes for Settlement of Teachers Contract by July 1

 

The Superintendent was optimistic on the Fact-Finding process now under way with the White Plains Teachers Association. He said every time the two sides talk they get closer together.

 

Asked why the district has already budgeted for an increase of about 3% for 09-10, why the contract had not been settled, the Superintendent said the settlement has been allowed for, and the contract would be negotiated so as not to exceed that.

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR Roving Photographer.May 9, 2009: The Annual Loucks games were in full swing today, and WPCNR’s Roving camera confirmed, that, yes, White Plains, the $104,000 scoreboard obtained for the newly renovated Loucks Field works just fine, recording track results with major league quality.

They’re Off! Athletes off an running at oneof the events Saturday at the annual Loucks Games at White Plains High School which featured the debut of the new $104,000 Scoreboard “track software.” Taxpayers can be reassured that it works like a $104,000 scoreboard should.