New Paltz
M a y 2 0 1 1 Central School District
Special Budget Issue 2011-2012
Lenape Elementary School
Students Using Mind-Bending
Math Problems to Boost Critical
Thinking Skills
C
reating an environment that
stimulates critical inquiry means
hard work for teachers. It’s much
easier to teach students to memorize
facts and then assess them with
multiple-choice tests. But recognizing
that what they teach today will
be replaced by the discoveries of
tomorrow, Denise Sanchez and
Adrienne Maley, third grade teachers
at Lenape Elementary School, are
emphasizing critical thinking skills
– application and analysis, divergent
thinking, opportunities to organize
ideas – in their classrooms.
continued on page 2
Third grade students Avani Schmeltz and
Azalea Rusillon demonstrate their solution to
a math problem through a drawing.
Board of Education Presents
Budget to Community:
Staff Concessions Help
Maintain District’s Mission
A
fter months of debate and
District Staff Reduced by Five
community conversations, the
New Paltz Board of Education has
Percent Under Proposed Budget
In total, 19.1 positions were eliminated, representing
adopted a $50.26 million budget for
a 6% decrease in administrators, a 5% decrease in
the 2011-2012 school year. Following
teaching staff, and a 4% decrease in support staff.
two years of budget increases below
0%
one percent, this year’s proposal
represents a 2.9% increase and is less
-1%
than one percent above the allowable
State-mandated Contingency Budget
-2%
cap. Residents will vote on the
Proposed Budget on May 17, 2011.
-3%
A proposition to purchase three new
-4%
school buses and the election of two
-4%
Support
Board of Education members will
-5%
-5%
also be on the ballot.
Teaching
While the adopted budget
-6%
-6%
does include the elimination of
Administrators
19.1 positions, staff concessions
-7%
throughout the major employee
groups helped alleviate the need for more drastic cuts. Due to retirements and
attrition, only seven of these eliminations will require layoffs. Full details about
this, and other valuable information about the budget, are found
on pages 5-8. Additional information can also be found on
the District’s website at www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us. Please
contact Richard Linden, Assistant Superintendent for
bout
A
Business, at 845.255.4010 if you have any questions.
e
r
VOTE May 17  12PM-9PM
New Paltz High School
Mo udget
the B age 5
on P
Board of Education
Donald Kerr, President
Kathleen Tobin-Flusser, Vice President
Steven Greenfield
Patrick Rausch
Robert Rich
Edgar Rodriguez
Daniel Torres
Superintendent of Schools
Maria Rice
196 Main Street, New Paltz, New York 12561
Tel. (845)256-4020 • Fax (845)256-4025
www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us
Central School District
New Paltz
www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us
TO POSTAL CUSTOMER
MAN-WSS
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
NEWBURGH, NY
12550
PERMIT NO. 145
New Paltz
2
Lenape Elementary School Students Using Mind-Bending
Math Problems to Boost Critical Thinking Skills
...continued from page 1
For example, in a recent math lesson, Mrs. Sanchez used
a mind-bending math teaser to teach critical-thinking
skills. Her students pondered a word problem: “At the
farm, there are cows, sheep, ducks, and pigs. The farmer
looked under the fence and saw 48 legs. What animals
could he have seen?”
Students were asked to show as many possibilities
as they could, choosing from a range of options –
equations, drawings, diagrams, or performance – to
demonstrate their solution. Some students preferred to
work in groups or teams of two, while others worked
independently.
“It helps the children develop deeper thinking skills
and learn to think in multiple ways,” Mrs. Sanchez
explained. The young minds were obviously whirling
as students
discussed the
Kevin Martinez and Jovonna Tanzi use an equation to demonstrate
their answer.
problem (the fact that ducks have only two
legs was crucial), determined their answers
(discovering that the possibilities were
numerous) and then demonstrated their
conclusions.
The benefits to this seemingly simple
exercise go far beyond the math lesson. In the
process of solving the problem, students were
developing a broad range of analytical skills they’ll
need to improve overall
academic performance,
score higher on tests, and
eventually, help them
understand and solve
problems in the everchanging global society of
the 21st century.
Mena Bonagura, Khalid Alkahtani, John Dixon, and
Logan Michael prepare a skit to explain how they
solved the problem.
Third grade student Ryan Kelso
draws an illustration to show how
he solved a math problem.
Middle School Garden Moving Forward
Cultivating Concepts in Math, Science, and Health through Gardening
A
30-foot by 60-foot plot of land near the Middle School
playground will soon be sprouting a
variety of veggies, from carrots
and cucumbers to peppers and
pole beans, thanks to the efforts
of a group of organizers led by
community member Jim O’Dowd,
who helped establish gardens at
both Duzine and Lenape Elementary
Schools.
The garden will serve as a
laboratory, where students apply what
they have learned in the classroom.
The numerous benefits include handson experience, the cultivation of social and emotional
learning, and first-hand knowledge of the importance of fresh
and healthy food. Educators report that students are more
likely to try foods they have never tasted before when they
grow the foods themselves.
The Middle School garden will have raised
beds, a water line for irrigation,
and a fence to keep out unwelcome
wildlife. The project has received
funding of $2,500 to date through
various local grants, including those
from the Nyquist Foundation, the
Fishman Fund, and several private
donors. For more information about
the garden or to learn how you can
help, please call 845.256.4200.
New Paltz
High School Peer Leadership Club
Spearheads Food Drive
A
hearty
thank
you goes
out to New
Paltz High
School Peer
Leadership
Club members,
who organized
a very
successful
food drive
for donation
to Family of
New Paltz.
The Peer Leadership Club organized Food Drive for Family of New Paltz.
Their efforts
were greatly
appreciated by Family, whose food pantry shelves were nearly depleted in
March, a recurring problem nationwide during the blustery month after
the long winter.
“The timing could not have been better,” reported Lenora Koffman,
who, along with Joel Neden, serves as advisors for the Peer Leadership
Club. “In the two days prior to the club’s delivery of the food, a record
21 families had visited Family’s food pantry. Our students really came
through.”
In the United States, more than one out of six children lives in a
household with food insecurity, which means they do not always know
where they will find their next meal. According to the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA), 17.2 million children under 18
in the United States are unable to consistently access nutritious and
adequate amounts of food necessary for a healthy life.
In total, the Club collected 1,004 items during the week-long drive,
including rice, pasta, soup, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, macaroni and
cheese, canned fruit and vegetables, as well as personal care items.
As an extra incentive, the club offered a bagel breakfast to the
homeroom class that brought in the most items donated. Out of 42
homerooms, the winners were Joe Dolan’s class (A Day), with 147 items
donated, and Matt Paley’s class (B Day), with 121 items donated.
Duzine Elementary School Students
are Making Their School and
Community a Better Place
3
Community
service is an
integral part
of school life
for students in
the New Paltz
Central School
District. From
the Elementary
Schools to the
High School, these
young citizens
are always in
search of new
opportunities to
lend a helping
hand. Their
involvement
in community
service includes
everything from
giving blood to
raising funds for
local charities
to volunteering
with local fire
departments.
A
s part of a service-learning project,
organized by the Building Level Team,
Duzine Elementary School students are
learning how they can make their school and
community a better place.
“The students have collected hats, coats,
mittens, and gloves for their Winter Clothing
Drive and are bringing in boxes and cans of
non-perishable foods – all to donate to Family
of New Paltz,” reports Debra Hogancamp.
Kathy Cartagena, director of Family,
recently came to thank
the students for their
efforts and read the
poignant, thoughtprovoking Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, a
children’s book with a powerful lesson for all
ages about differentiating between wants and
needs in the face of tight budget constraints.
Pre-K and Kindergarten students at
Duzine learn the difference between
wants and needs as they listen to
Those Shoes.
4
Election of Board of Education Members
New Paltz
You may vote for any two (2) of the four (4) candidates listed or write-in the name of another person(s) in the spaces provided. IF YOU
VOTE FOR MORE THAN TWO (2) YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED.
Brian Cournoyer
Salesman, Dutchess Beer Distributors
Mr. Cournoyer, a salesman for Dutchess Beer Distributors, has been a resident of New Paltz for six months. He
has a 9-year-old son and is the stepfather of an 8-year-old girl attending Duzine Elementary School. He is a
graduate of Newburgh Free Academy in the Newburgh Central School District. He has attended and participated
in many of the 2010-2011 School Board and Budget Workshop meetings. He believes education is one of the
most important formative experiences of a child’s life.
“Giving our kids the best education possible is the whole point of the public school system, and if we take
that as our starting point, every other consideration–from staff and salaries to programs, activities and
sports to Special Education–flows from it,” he says. “From the taxpayer’s perspective, a good school system
only enhances property values. So a great school district is a win for everyone.” He supports offering modern
programming and curricula; balancing the sciences and the humanities to best prepare our children for the
future; reforming the way public education is funded to lessen the burden on lower- and fixed-income property owners; eliminating
waste; finding ways to make our schools more energy efficient; maintaining a strong special education program; and fostering a more
active dialog between the Board and the public to improve communication and collaboration.
Stephen J. Bagley
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Bagley, chief financial officer of a Hudson Valley company, has been a New Paltz resident for seven years. He
and his wife, Jennifer Quintero, have three children attending school in the District, two at the High School and
one at Lenape. He served as a community member on the Audit and Finance Committee for the last two years.
He has a master’s in business administration from Marist College, a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oneonta, and
is a certified public account. He has coached soccer, served as a volunteer firefighter, as well as treasurer for the
Rifton Fire District.
Mr. Bagley believes the District will face some tough challenges in the coming years. “I do not have one
sweeping solution to our District’s myriad of problems. I do, however, have an open mind, a strong fiscal
background, a creative outlook, and a strong desire to implement the changes necessary to preserve our
schools,” he says. “I have experienced firsthand the high standards of our schools. I know the challenges we all
face in our lives. We all want to live comfortably in our community, to have our children succeed, and to have all of the resources that we
need to accomplish these things.”
Patrick Rausch
Senior Program Manager
Mr. Rausch, a senior program manager at IBM, has served on the Board of Education for 13 years, three of those
years as president. He has been chairman of both the Audit and the Policy Committees, and was a member of the
Facilities Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Illinois and a
master’s degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University. A resident of New Paltz for 31 years, he and
his wife Kimberly have six children, all of whom attended District schools.
Mr. Rausch wants to put his personal and Board experience to use “in keeping our educational program
the best in the area/state at a reasonable cost,” he says. “Given current financial conditions and our State’s
circumstances, funding of our program and staff within all of our means will become the key challenge for our
Board moving forward. We have worked to keep the tax increases relatively constant and I thank the public for
supporting our schools as they have. Going forward, this may get very expensive for our taxpayers and I want to
focus on long-range planning so the Board can make decisions with a much better understanding of longer-term effects.”
He also would like the general public to be better informed about the District’s cost drivers and how State Education Department
regulations and legislative mandates control what a school board and district can and cannot do; perhaps through a blog, weekly
newspaper column, or a group of things that can be accessible by everyone in the District. “All of us together can make this work,” he says.
Michael A. Hekking
Global Account Director
Mr. Hekking, account director for a global consulting firm in Danbury, CT, has been a resident of New Paltz for
14 years. He has a bachelor’s in international relations from Brigham Young University. He and his wife, Sandy,
have four children in the District, one at Duzine, one at the Middle School, and two at the High School.
Education is important to Mr. Hekking.
“Of all my tax dollars, these are dollars where I see a return each day, especially in my children’s almost
daily enthusiasm about learning and school,” he says. “However, in addition to asking if we can afford a certain
proposed program or initiative, I would ask how the students would benefit from it, using, wherever possible,
metrics to determine a program’s value.”
He believes District employees should be applauded for their recent givebacks, but is concerned about the longterm affordability of our educational system. He recognizes that the current budgetary circumstance may have
been unavoidable, but wants the District to learn from it and do better in years to come in providing quality but affordable education.
“As we work to renew our contracts with District employees, we need to ensure that we are transparent on the forecasted costs over the
life of the contract and only commit to reasonable costs that the District and its taxpayers can afford.”
2011-2012 Budget
New Paltz
New Paltz
5
May 2011 Central School District
Quick Facts About
the Budget
Board Adopts Budget for
Community Vote on May 17
Current Budget....................$48,830,000
W
Proposed Budget..................$50,260,000
Contingency Budget............$49,800,000
Budget-to-Budget Increase..............2.9%
Contingency Budget Increase..........2.0%
Tax Levy Increase
Under Proposed Budget...................3.7%
Tax Levy Increase
Under Contingency...........................3.5%
District True Tax Rate
per Thousand..................................$15.76
County Median True Tax Rate
per Thousand..................................$17.31
We’ve Got a Lot to Be
Proud Of!
 On the Newsweek Best
High Schools in the
Nation list for four
consecutive years.
 Highest overall
performance in Ulster
County on Grades 3-8
ELA and Mathematics
State tests.
 Highest performance in
Ulster County on every
Middle School ELA and
Mathematics State test.
 On the New York State
list of High Performing/
Gap Closing Schools/
Districts for both Lenape
Elementary and the
Middle School.
hile developing the school budget has always been a challenging
process, the economic realities our community has faced for the past
few years have made budgeting decisions extraordinarily difficult. The
financial hardships facing some residents weigh heavily on the minds of our
school staff and Board of Education members as they make decisions that
impact the educational opportunities offered to our children. Schools have a
responsibility to provide the children with the knowledge and skills necessary
to be competitive and successful in life, as
well as to consider the ability of taxpayers’
Schools have a
financial resources to fund education. In tough
responsibility
economic times, these priorities dramatically
to provide the
conflict with each other.
children with the
When the process began, we were looking
at some devastating cuts and exploring options
knowledge and
that would have changed the face of education
skills necessary
in our District. Initial projections of increased
to be competitive
fixed costs and cuts to State Aid would have
and successful in
required severe layoffs, and possibly even the
closing of one of our schools. Although the end
life, as well as to
result of the Proposed Budget does still include
consider the ability
the elimination of 19.1 positions, which was a
of taxpayers’
difficult choice to make, we are grateful that
financial resources
the situation did not force us into more drastic
to fund education.
measures. Due to retirements and attrition, only
seven of these eliminations will require layoffs.
We are also pleased that throughout
the District, staff members came forward with offers of various forms of
economic relief that helped us to avoid further cuts to staff. Their willingness
to partner with us through these challenging times restored valuable teaching
positions and helped us stay true to our vision and mission.
Statewide, the movement for reforming the way education is funded
and the need for mandate relief has gained momentum. We need to hold our
elected officials responsible for fulfilling their promises for legislative reform
and mandate relief, as well as the creation of a school funding system that
does not rely solely on property values. You can help by contacting your
State representatives and telling them that mandate relief and a change to
school funding needs to be their priority.
Please vote on May 17. Our schools are an integral part of our
community, and your participation is essential.
Sincerely,
Donald Kerr
Board President
VOTE!
Maria C. Rice
Superintendent of Schools
12PM-9PM
New Paltz High School
page 5
6
Impact to Staffing Levels
In total, 19.1 positions were eliminated, representing a 6%
decrease in administrators, a 5% decrease in teaching staff,
and a 4% decrease in support staff. Due to retirements
and attrition, only seven of these eliminations will require
layoffs. Under a Contingency Budget, an additional
$460,000 would need
Total Reductions
to be reduced from
the budget, which
1.0
Administrator
would possibly result
11.3
Teaching Staff
in the elimination of
additional positions.
6.8
Support Staff
Staff Concessions Lessen Impact of Layoffs
In order to continue to live the District’s vision and meet
the District’s educational standards, individual staff
members and several employee units have volunteered
changes to their contractual compensation that will help
preserve educational programs and staff. Since staff
salaries and benefits are responsible for 77% of the cost
of the budget, these concessions played a large part in
preserving many opportunities for students.
The following employee groups have volunteered to
freeze their pay and forego any negotiated salary increase
or performance pay increases, saving the District a total
of $132,710. Many of these employees also provided
concessions last year.
 Superintendent
 Assistant Superintendents
 Directors
 Assistant Director of Transportation
 Principals & Assistant Principals
 Special Education Coordinators
 Information & Communications Technology Department
 District Office Clerical Staff
 Bus Drivers
 Bus Attendants
 School Bus Dispatcher
 LPN/Teacher Aides
 Behavioral Intervention Specialist
Members of the New Paltz United Teachers Union
also volunteered to reduce their contractual salary
schedule increase by 50% (from 4.5% to 2.25%) for the
2011-2012 school year. They also volunteered to reduce
the District’s obligation to contribute to their Benefits
Trust by $100 per member. These concessions saved the
District $360,000 and enabled the restoration of several
planned position eliminations. Another $250,000 of
savings will be achieved through retirements.
What Does Contingency Mean?
I
f the Proposed Budget is defeated, the District
has two options. It can decide to place another
proposition (either the same proposition or a modified
one) before the community one additional time, or
it can decide to automatically adopt a Contingency
Budget. If the second proposition does not receive
community approval, however, a Contingency Budget is
mandated. In addition to making further reductions of
$460,000 to reach the State calculation for Contingency
level, New York State dictates what types of items the
budget can include. All legal contractual obligations
(salaries, insurances, debt payments, etc.) are preserved
under a Contingency Budget, but items such as
equipment purchases, the free public use of buildings,
and non-essential building maintenance (except if
posing a health and safety risk) are forbidden by law.
Reductions would be made to non-mandated programs,
supplies, equipment, and programs.
Other Budget Reductions & Savings
■ Student Clubs Reduced by 28%
■ Summer School Opportunities Reduced by 40%
■ After-School Academic Intervention Services in MS/HS Eliminated
■ Savings Achieved through a New Phone Maintenance
System Offered through Ulster BOCES
What Was Preserved?
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Pre-K Program
Small Elementary School Class Sizes
Foreign Language for Grades 1-5
Field Trips Within a Limited Radius
Athletic Programs/Sports
72% of School Clubs
60% of MS/HS Summer School Seats
Two School Bus Purchases
Programs Aligned with the District’s Mission
Class Sizes Preserved
Grade/
Projected
Building Enrollment
Projected #
Sections
Projected Average
Class Size
K
140
7
20 - 21
1
139
7
20 - 21
2
139
7
20 - 21
3
183
8
23 - 24
4
176
8
22 -23
5
157
7
23 -24
Weighing the Cost
The New Paltz School District’s true tax rate of $15.76 per
thousand is below the Ulster County median of $17.31.
According to the annual Mid-Hudson School Study Council
Report, the District also has the median cost per pupil in
Ulster County of $21,313 and is under the average $22,707.
Although there are school districts that spend more per
pupil, New Paltz is consistently known for offering one of
the finest educational programs and achievement levels in
Ulster County. The richness of the educational experiences
offered to New Paltz students address a wide range of
interests and academic abilities, which include over 18
Advanced Placement courses, scientific inquiry, and a variety
of exceptional pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 programs
(including foreign language in the Elementary Schools).
New Paltz offers a comprehensive program designed to
address the social, emotional, athletic, and academic needs
of its students. By offering a comprehensive and integrated
program, our students are continually recognized for various
academic, athletic, and artistic achievements.
7
Budget Summary
Expenditure Budget
Board of Education
Superintendent’s Office
Business Office
Personnel, Legal, Printing, Postage
Insurance, BOCES Admin Fees
Curriculum & Staff Development
Principals’ Offices
Special Education
Employee Benefits
TOTAL - Administration
Regular Instruction, AIS, OCC Ed.,
Summer School
2010-2011
Budget
2011-2012
Proposed Budget
Change from
2010-2011
$78,800
$285,200
$486,000
$448,700
$74,380
$283,060
$494,630
$438,000
-$4,420
-$2,140
$8,630
-$10,700
$446,900
$403,400
$1,252,700
$120,300
$1,200,000
$454,000
$418,690
$1,270,790
$120,280
$1,256,170
$7,100
$15,290
$18,090
-$20
$56,170
$4,722,000
$4,810,000
$14,744,100
$14,957,120
$6,357,900
$6,471,860
Libraries & Ed TV
Computer-Assisted Instruction
Guidance, Health, Psychologists
$460,700
$1,148,500
$1,687,500
$413,400
$1,022,420
$1,342,750
$397,700
$397,600
Transportation
$3,084,600
$3,152,330
Employee Benefits
$10,306,000
$11,532,520
Interfund Transfers
$50,000
$80,000
TOTAL - Program
$38,237,000
$39,370,000
$2,795,800
$2,748,690
Facilities & Operations
Reduction in conferences; savings on elections software
Savings from salary freeze
$10,000 increase in auditing fees
Savings from personnel ads
2% increase in BOCES admin fees
Increase due to elimination of Federal Title II monies
Reduction of HS clerical office staff
Savings from salary freeze
Includes increases of $500K in retirement costs; $845K in
health insurance
$88,000 1.9%
$213,020 Increase MS class size; Reduction in HS offerings; Reduce
Summer School by 40%
Special Education
Extracurricular and Sports
Comments
$113,960 Teacher reductions: -2.0 Elem, -2.3 MS, -1.0 HS
-$47,300 Savings from retirement
-$126,080 Elimination of BOCES instructional technologist
-$344,750 Elimination of 1 guidance counselor - not budget
related, 2 psychologists, 1 student assistance counselor,
1 clerical worker
-$100 28% reductions in total clubs (2010-11 included
reduction, which was later reinstated)
$67,730 Increase in fuel, bus attendants’ time
$1,226,520 Includes increases of $500K in retirement costs, $845K in
health insurance
$30,000 Required increase for Special Education summer students
$1,133,000 3.0%
-$47,110 Elimination of 2.0 positions from budget (1 maintenance
supervisor, 1 custodial worker)
Judgments & Claims
$6,000
$6,000
$0
$170,000
$170,000 Replacement of one small and one large bus
$506,000
$625,310
$119,310 Includes increases of $500K in retirement costs; $845K in
$2,563,200
$2,530,000
-$33,200 Includes all principal and interest payments for current debt
$0
$0
$5,871,000
$6,080,000
School Buses
Employee Benefits
$0
health insurance
Debt Service
Interfund Transfers
TOTAL - Capital
Total Budget
Staffing Reductions in Budget
Total Staff Reductions = -19.1
% Staff Reductions = -5%
2010-2011
2011-2012
Tax Levy including STAR
Other Revenue (BOCES refund,
$32,615,000
$1,350,000
$33,840,000
$1,392,000
State Aid
$12,356,000
$12,765,000
$709,000
$593,000
$47,030,000
$48,590,000
$1,800,000
$1,670,000
interest, charges to other districts, rentals,
donations, admissions)
Federal Aid
Total Revenues
Appropriated Fund Balance
Revenues and Fund Balance
$209,000 3.6%
$48,830,000 $50,260,000 $1,430,000 2.9% increase
% BUDGET INCREASE > > > > > > > > > > > 2.9%
Revenue Budget
$0
$ Change Comments
$1,225,000 3.7% increase
$42,000 Increase in PILOT from Woodland Ponds
Estimate based on new State Aid runs - includes $183K
of one-time buildiing aid
Loss
of ARRA monies (-$709K); Addition of new Federal
-$116,000
jobs monies (+$593K)
$409,000
$1,560,000
-$130,000 Used to hold down tax levy
$48,830,000 $50,260,000 $1,430,000 2.9% increase
Tax Levy Increase > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 3.7% increase
VOTE!
May 17 • 12 Noon - 9 PM
at the High School Gym
8
Expenditures
The Three-Part Budget
Administration
10%
Debt
Payments
5%
Capital
12%
BOCES
8%
Other
10%
Salaries
50%
Benefits
27%
Program
78%
Revenues
Administration Budget: This section includes school building
offices and central administration, along with clerical support,
salaries and benefits of all school administrators, Board of
Education expenses for planning, and other administrative
activities.
Other Revenue
3%
Federal Aid (ARRA)
1%
Capital Budget: This area refers to all facilities costs such
as custodial salaries and benefits, maintenance salaries
and benefits, service contracts, custodial and maintenance
supplies, utility costs for heating, electricity, communication,
water, and annual capital project debt service.
Appropriated
Fund Balance
3%
State Aid
26%
Tax Levy
67%
Program Budget: This portion covers classroom supplies and
equipment, teacher salaries and benefits, all related education
costs, and costs for student transportation services. This
program area makes up the largest portion of the budget.
Reserved Fund Balance
Actual
2010-2011
$2,481,952
Estimated
2011-2012
$2,173,700
Appropriated Fund Balance
$1,800,000
$1,670,000
Unappropriated Fund Balance
$1,377,659
$130,000
2.8%
0.3%
 
Unappropriated Fund Balance as a %
Property Tax Report Card
Budgeted 2010-2011
Estimated Basic STAR Exemption Savings
Budget Proposed
2011-2012
Basic STAR Savings
Proposed 2011-2012
$609
% Change
Total Spending
$48,830,000
$50,260,000
2.9%
Total Estimated School Tax Levy
$32,615,000
$33,840,000
3.7%
2,247
2,209
-1.7%
Public School Enrollment
Consumer Price Index
1.6%
School District Budget Notice
Overall Budget Proposal
Budget
Adopted for
2010-2011
Budget
Proposed for
2011-2012
Contingency
Budget for
2011-2012
Assumptions used for projecting a
contingency budget:
1 Eliminate all musical instument,
furniture & equipment purchases
2 Eliminate Buses
3 Eliminate JV Sports
4 Decreased use of Appropriated
Fund Balance - $380,000
5 Reduce 2.0 Teachers
TOTAL BUDGET AMOUNT
Increase for the 2011-2012 school year
Percentage increase in proposed budget
Change in consumer price index
Resulting Est. Property Tax Levy for 2011
$48,830,000
 
 
 
 
$50,260,000
$1,430,000
2.9%
1.6%
$33,840,000
$49,800,000
$970,000
2.0%
 
$33,760,000
Administrative component
Program component
Capital component
$4,722,000
$38,237,000
$5,871,000
$4,810,000
$39,370,000
$6,080,000
$4,810,000
$39,080,000
$5,910,000
The annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2011-2012 by the qualified voters of the New Paltz Central School District,
  Ulster County, New
  York, will
be held at New Paltz High School on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 between the hours of 12:00 noon and 9:00 pm prevailing time, at which time the polls
 
will be open to voting by voting machine or ballot.
 
 
 
9
Impact on the Taxpayer
F
unding the budget is accomplished through
several revenue sources, including State
and Federal Aid, earned interest, the availability
of unspent funds from previous years’ budgets
(called unappropriated Fund Balance), and the
amount raised by local school taxes (called the
Tax Levy). The Proposed Budget carries a 3.7%
Tax Levy increase, and a Contingency Budget
would have an increase of 3.5%.
To estimate your individual monthly tax bill
increase under the Proposed Budget, multiply
the amount of your current school tax bill by
0.037 and then divide by 12. To calculate the
increase under a Contingency Budget, multiply
the amount of your current school tax bill by
0.035 and then divide by 12. These calculations
are only estimations because it is possible
that there will be variations in your town’s
assessments and equalization rates, which are
determined by the individual towns and not the
school district.
Examples of Monthly Impact on Tax Bill
2010
Tax Bill
Proposed
Budget
Contingency
Budget
Difference Between
Proposed &
Contingency Budgets
$10,000
$30.83
$29.17
$1.66
$8,000
$24.67
$23.33
$1.34
$6,000
$18.50
$17.50
$1.00
$4,000
$12.33
$11.68
$0.65
$2,000
$6.17
$5.84
$0.33
Calculate Your Own Monthly Increase!
Amount of 2010 Tax Bill:
Multiply by 0.037:
Equals Annual Increase:
Divide by 12:
Tax Relief Program Expanded to Reduce
Burden on Disabled & Senior Citizens
F
or more than ten years, the District has helped
reduce the school tax burden for senior citizens
and disabled residents, who often live on fixed
incomes.
To help, a special tax relief program is available
through a provision in the New York State Real
Property Tax Law that allows Boards of Education
the option of granting qualified senior citizens and
residents with disabilities an exemption on a portion
of the assessed value of their residential property,
which in turn lowers their tax bill. The exemption
is determined by income level and is based upon
a sliding scale, providing up to a 50% reduction
in assessed value. The lower the income level, the
greater the reduction granted.
The Board has approved an expansion of the
program that increases the income allowances for
eligible homeowners at the various assessment values.
Starting in 2012, this will increase the savings eligible
individuals will see on their tax bills.
To participate in the exemption program,
eligible residents must meet certain qualifications,
and an application must be submitted with the
local assessors’ office by March 1, 2012 and renewed
annually. For more information or an application,
contact the New Paltz Assessor’s Office at
845.255.0103, extension 3.
ANNUAL
INCOME
Percent
Exemption
to $29,000.00
50%
$29,000.01 to $29,999.99
45%
$30,000.00 to $30,999.99
40%
$31,000.00 to $31,999.99
35%
$32,000.00 to $32,899.99
30%
$32,900.00 to $33,799.99
25%
$33,800.00 to $34,699.99
20%
$34,700.00 to $35,599.99
15%
$35,600.00 to $36,499.99
10%
$36,500.00 to $37,399.99
5%
$0
10
Sample Ballot
Proposition #1 YES * NO *
“Shall the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central
School District be authorized to
expend $50,260,000 which will
be required for school district
purposes for the year July 1,
2011 through June 30, 2012 (The
Budget), and to levy the necessary tax therefor?”
Proposition #2 YES * NO *
Shall the Board of Education
of the New Paltz Central School
District, Ulster County, New
York, be authorized to purchase
one 65-passenger or larger school
bus at a maximum estimated
cost of $110,000; and two
20-passenger or smaller school
buses at a cost of $50,000 each,
for a maximum estimated cost
of $100,000; for an aggregate
maximum estimated cost of
$210,000; and that the sum of
$210,000, or so much thereof as
may be necessary, shall be raised
by the levy of a tax upon the
taxable property of said School
District and, in anticipation
of such tax, obligations of the
District shall be issued.
Revisions to the STAR
Exemption Program
The School Tax Relief (STAR)
Program that was passed by the
Legislature in 1997 to provide
Basic and Enhanced school
tax relief for owner-occupied,
primary residences is continued
under the New York State
budget but has been revised
to also reflect income levels
of owners. Owner-occupied,
primary residences where the
owners’ total income is less than
$500,000 are now eligible for
STAR.
The Basic STAR exemption
is offered to all property owners
on their owner-occupied primary
residences, and is provided in
the form of an actual reduction
in the homeowner’s property tax
bill. Owners who are aged 65 or
older and meet income criteria
are eligible for even greater tax
savings through the Enhanced
STAR exemption. Seniors must
apply for Enhanced STAR each
year. Contact your local assessor
for more information.
Proposition 2:
Maintaining Our Bus Fleet
The District tries to replace school buses strategically on a cycle designed
to keep the fleet’s vehicles from becoming too aged or unreliable, since
mid-year emergency repairs can be costly. Old or poorly conditioned
vehicles also consume more fuel and contribute to pollution.
Proposition 2 asks permission to purchase one large 65-passenger and
two small 20-passenger school buses. The vehicles will replace existing
buses that were identified because of their age and high mileage as part
of a strategic vehicle replacement program that phases in replacements
a few at a time to reduce large-scale impacts on the budget. Ordinarily,
all school bus replacement would be included in the regular school
budget proposition, but because of the economic challenges faced by
the community, only two buses were included. The bus purchases were
separated this year in order to give the community greater flexibility in
its voting decisions.
Foundation for Student
Enhancement Establishes
Charitable Educational Group
A
New Paltz Central School District Foundation for Student
Enhancement was recently formed as a non-for-profit organization,
with the aim of supporting and enhancing District educational
programs. The members of the Planning Committee that will support
this foundation are a combination of District staff and community
members, including Debora Banner, Andrew Bivona, Barbara Clinton,
John Fracasse, Gail Gallerie, Susan Hill, Harold King, Dominick Profaci,
Jerry Rice, and Robert Rich.
The Foundation plans to acquire outside resources to benefit
students and solicit grants from public and private sources along with
individual donations and in-kind services. It is hoped that partnerships
will be cultivated with local businesses, corporations, communitybased organizations, parents, and alumni. The Foundation is legally
independent from the District.
“The goal of the foundation is to establish an endowment from
which programs, facilities, activities, and curriculum may be supported
and/or funded,” states Foundation President Andrew Bivona. “Local,
State, and Federal budget cuts, coupled with the ongoing pressure to
forego or mitigate tax increases, have presented us with the challenge
and mandate to raise funds that will allow for and continue to support
the Foundation’s desire to provide students within the District
opportunities and the tools to enhance their traditional educational
requirements.”
Bivona, a graduate of the District, says that his past positive
experiences with athletics, the arts, and other school related activities
motivated him to lead the foundation.
Community members interested in donating to the New Paltz
Central School District Foundation for Student Enhancement may
send their charitable donation to The New Paltz Central School District
Foundation for Student Enhancement, c/o Office of the Superintendent,
196 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561.
More information can be found at www.npschoolfoundation.org.
VOTE!
12PM-9PM
New Paltz High School
New Paltz
11
New Paltz High School Performs A Chorus Line
From the Top: Five, Six, Seven, Eight!
T
he New Paltz High School Drama Club took its
audience on a heart-rending, nail-biting roller
coaster of emotions in their performance of A Chorus
Line in April. The student actors portrayed a group
of aspiring dancers as they were
put through a vigorous series
of dance numbers. The
auditioning director, Zack,
played by senior David
King, asked each of the
dancers to give a
personal history of
how they came to be
in show business.
By the end of
the show, the
audience
Luisa Walsh played the role of Maggie.
learns what
each of the performers endured to be a part
of the glamorous world of theater.
Miki Flores-Amper played
the part of Paul.
“Sing!”
The Company
Lynn............ Sadie Moran
Zach............ David King
Sheila.......... Aubrey Haddard
Val............... Alana Colucci
Mike............ Antonio Stephens
Richie.......... Dominick Spylios
Cassie.......... Fiona Robins
Kristine....... Katelyn Welch
Al................ Alekz Obry
Diana.......... Sarah Dukler
Paul............. Miki Flores-Amper
Maggie........ Luisa Walsh
Bebe............ Lia Parker
Don............. John Ferrante
Bobby . ....... Kevin Mannix
Greg............ Michael Vespe
Connie......... Ari Raskin
Mark........... Alex Rubin
Judy............ Jordan Donohue
Tricia........... Maddy Harrington
Vicki............ Naomi Bouchard-Gordon
Cara Lee...... Margaret Stanne
Angie.......... Aliya Cohn
Lois............. Lauren Kossover
Roy.............. Everett Haddard
Frank........... Ed Sganga
The Ensemble
Allison Albrecht, Ariana Brenner,
Morgan DeSimone, Elaina Dionisio,
Frances Eckles, Megan Grant,
Amanda Katz, Lucy Keehn, Dein Kim,
Gabby Mancuso, Ashley Mazzei,
Claire McAllister, Tithee Patel,
Rebecca Pfirman, Brianne Rawlins,
Layla Stover, Delaney Taliaferro, Ciara Vesely
Director
1”
“Montage
Nancy Owen
Musical Director
Nicole Ferrante
Choreographer
Kate Weston
The Finale!
New Paltz
12
Middle School Students Present
Beauty and the Beast
Family, friends, and community
members witnessed a fantastic
performance by a cast of very
talented New Paltz Middle
School students as they
presented Disney’s Beauty and
the Beast this spring. The young
actors, directed by Middle School
teacher Mary Holmes, filled the stage
with thrill after thrill in this beloved
fairy tale, which is set in an enchanted
castle with dancing flatware and
singing furniture!
District Students
Honing Theater,
Academic, and
Life Skills
F
rom the first rehearsal to the last curtain
call, the District’s musical productions
gave students the opportunity to hone
theater skills as well as life skills – ranging
from communication and collaboration to
creativity and confidence.
A growing body of studies presents
compelling evidence connecting student
learning in the arts to a wide spectrum
of academic and social benefits. Research
shows that what students learn in the arts
may help them to master other subjects,
such as reading, math, and social studies.
In a national study using a database
of over 25,000 middle and high school
students, researchers from the University
of California at Los Angeles found that
students with high arts involvement
performed better on standardized
achievement tests. Those students also
watched fewer hours of TV, participated in
more community service, and reported less
boredom in school.
Mrs. Potts, a singing
teapot, played by
eighth grade student
Jenny Rich.
Celebrating Academic Excellence
Julianna Apuzzo is New Paltz High School’s Class
of 2011 Valedictorian. Not only did Julianna
excel scholastically while at NPHS, earning a
cumulative weighted percent GPA of 98.9%, but
she also found time in her busy academic schedule
for a number of extracurricular and community
service activities. She is currently the student
representative on the New Paltz
Board of Education, Senior
Class Secretary, and Student
Government President, while also
volunteering as a Sunday School
teacher at her local church. Among
her academic achievements,
Julianna was a semifinalist for
the 2011 Class of the Coca-Cola
Scholars Program, one of 2,100
U.S. students chosen for that
honor from a pool of nearly 71,000
applicants. In the fall, she will
begin her studies at Cornell University in Ithaca,
New York, where she will major in Biology at the
school’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
While she has not firmly decided on a career
goal yet, she has been considering a career as a
pediatrician. As to the hard work that led to this
singular achievement, Julianna shares, “The Class
of 2011 is full of high-achieving students, so I’m
honored to be considered one of them. We’ve all
worked tirelessly in school, and it’ll be great to see
our hard work recognized in whatever my class
chooses to do after graduation.”
Brian Busby qualified for this year’s Salutatorian honor with a cumulative weighted percent
GPA of 97.9%. An accomplished, multi-talented
scholar/athlete, Brian participates as a longdistance runner on the Track & Field and Cross
Country teams, as well as skis for the Nordic Ski
team at NPHS. He has achieved many individual
and team honors for
his running (first place
in many cases) in Section 9 championships,
as well as in Mid-Hudson Athletic League
competitions. A rapper
in his spare time,
Brian will attend the
Wildlife Conservation
Program at the SUNY
College of Environmental Science and
Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse in the fall, where he
hopes to prepare for a career as a conservationist,
perhaps with the U.S. Forest Service or in one of
the country’s National Parks. Asked his counsel
for fellow students seeking academic excellence,
Brian advises, “It’s really worth it to work hard
and try your best as you go through school. You
can get so much in return for your hard work, not
only in the form of scholarships and such, but in
a personal sense of knowing that you did the best
you possibly could.” Brian is the son of James
and Deborah Busby of New Paltz.