Proposed Mamaroneck Schools Budget Eliminates 20 Jobs

MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- Mamaroneck Superintendent of Schools Robert Shaps said his recommended budget for 2014-15 falls under the allowable state tax levy cap, according to the district.

Mamaroneck Superintendent of Schools Robert Shaps said his recommended budget for 2014-15 falls under the allowable state tax levy cap, according to the district.
Photo Credit: *File Photo*

by Nathan Bruttell

03/28/2014 4:00 p.m.

The Board of Education will review the recommended budget line by line at its meeting beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 29.

Shaps said the budget comes as a result of some "hard choices," according to a release from the district. The superintendent proposed more than $2 million in expenditure reductions, including the elimination of more than 20 staff positions and several programs in the Tuesday presentation, according to the release. The superintendent also presented some program recommendations as examples of how the district is improving instruction and finding creative ways to redefine public education with minimal budget impact, according to the release.

The following is a list of some of the recommendations included in the superintendent's proposed budget:

Expanding the districtwide integrated co-teaching model for students classified to receive special education services.
Rounding out the computer science classes offered to include the full sequence of Computer Science I, Computer Science II, AP Computer Science and Robotics classes, so that students are better prepared for STEM-related fields of study in college.
Expanding the 1:1 computing initiative to include 10th-grade students.
Adding first-grade dual language English-Spanish classes.
Implementing a full-day kindergarten program in all elementary schools, pending discussions currently underway with current incoming families.

Contractual obligations for salary increases come to about $2.1 million, exceeding the district’s allowable growth under the tax levy cap of just over $2 million, according to the release.

Shaps said the district has implemented cost-saving measures around employee health insurance, including moving to a self-paid health insurance plan, based on utilization, which has curtailed the growth in health care insurance expenses and saved the district about $2 million, according to the release.

A final budget that will be brought forth to community members for a vote must be adopted by the board by April 22. The community votes on the budget on Tuesday, May 20.

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