Schools
Update: Abrams Dilemma Could Double Budget Concerns in Huntington
Reopening of the school would add nearly $700,000 to projected school budget deficit.
Saddled with looming budget cuts due to state-mandated tax cap limitations, the cost of reopening the Jack Abrams school could nearly double the budget deficit facing the Huntington school district.
"Right now, we are in a $864,000 hole," said Huntington School Superintendent Jim Polansky to a large crowd at a meeting in the school auditorium Monday.
The 2012-13 budget projection does not include an estimated $678,380 needed to reopen Abrams as a sixth grade center, according to Polansky.
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"As we present these I want to be clear that if the board were to decide to do anything with these costs, they would have to be added to that differential," said Polansky.
Polansky said the costs associated with opening the building as a sixth grade center would be the least expensive option. The school was by the school board.
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"These numbers are real, they are responsible and they represent something that was not certainly an overestimate but one that would be a rational means of opening a building," said Polansky.
Personnel costs to reopen the school would be incurred at an annual rate of $535,058, according to Polansky.
One-time, non-personnel costs would be $143,322 to replace many items Polansky said was transfered from the school to other district locations.
"There has been alot taken out of this building to fill in gaps in other buildings because it was available," said Polansky. "Why pay for it if was here? We can always replace it if needed."
The next budget session is set for March 19 at Jack Abrams school to discuss employee benefits, fund transfers and capital.
Update added March 7, 2011: "No assistant principal would be hired. The item concerns converting the Woodhull School assistant principal position to a principal's position for JAS. The AP at Woodhull would be replaced by a dean there. The other dean is for JAS. The librarian and nurse figures include their benefits, etc. There is a librarian on the excess list that would be recalled if the position were to be re-established." — Jim Hoops, information officer Huntington school district.
JAS Restoration Costs:
Personnel CostsAssistant Principal to Principal $4,800 Deans (2) $231,335 Librarian $115,668 SEARCH Teacher $64,903 Nurse $47,516 Security Staff $35,747 Teacher Assistants $23,092 Building Aids $40,386 3-Hour Monitors $36,514 Teacher Savings ($64,903) Personnel Subtotal $535,058 Non-Personnel Costs Computer Hardware/Software $21,000 Projectors $6,930 SMARTBoards $23,400 Student Furniture $7,846 Office Furniture $2,428 Kiln $2,800 Supplies $2,000 Security Cameras $76,918 Non-Personnel Subtotal $143,322 Total $678,380
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