Comsewogue Might Switch Gears on School Budget

On Wednesday night, residents in Comsewogue School district and on a community Facebook page created and administered by parents and residents are saying that School Superintendent Joseph Rella issued a "robocall" to alert parents that there is not enough support for . Instead the district will consider a budget that comes in at 2.6 percent, the maximum allowed under state law.

"Voicemail from Dr. Rella. The plan to circumvent the budget cap is being scrapped," said Drew Linsalata who alerted us to the call on our Facebook page. "Fifty-four percent were opposed in a survey of district households."

In order to pass a budget that raises taxes over the state mandated cap, 60 percent of voters must approve it.

On the district's Facebook page a breakdown of the survey was provided. As of Friday, March 23 the school received 1,647 survey cards back asking if residents would support the proposed budget - 4.5% tax levy increase?

The school reported that of those who responded, 727 or 46 percent voted yes, they would support the proposed budget and 920 respondents or 54 percent said they would not support the budget.

Last year, residents passed the budget with a 7.3 percent increase in the tax levy by a vote of 1239 to 523, a total of 1,762 voters.

According to the superintendent's February budget presentation, the New York State tax cap for Comsewogue is 2.6 percent, which represents the maximum of 2 percent plus any increase in the district's pension contributions, allowable under the law.

To have the school budget come in under the mandated cap, many cuts will have to be made to the budget.

In one instance, the superintendent has proposed a plan to reorganize the four elementary school buildings. The so-called "Princeton Plan" as outlined on the school website calls for and elementary schools to house all Kindergarten through second grade students and and elementary schools will house every third grade through fifth grade student in the district. According to district, the plan was designed so that no class size will be larger than 28 students.

The Comsewogue Community Facebook page has lit up since the call went out with debate on both sides of the issue. Some residents are distraught over the prospect of facing huge cuts to the education program while others are saying that the proposed tax levy would be too much of a financial burden.

Residents will have a chance to come out and hear the new proposal and air out concerns on Thursday when the and hears comments from the auditorium in at 7:30 p.m. (Note: This is a change from the previously scheduled venue.)