MAMARONECK, NY — The MUFSD Administration provided the Mamaroneck Board of Education and community with an overview of its current fiscal position as it relates to the 2020-2021 budget, the process and conditions by which the District is developing the ’21-’22 budget and potential long-term budget challenges. The presentation also included discussion around the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on revenues and expenditures.
CURRENT YEAR (2020-2021) BUDGET STATUS
Highlights:
- State Aid has declined $1,263,901 since last spring, when the community voted on the budget.
- Although the 2020-2021 Budget included a 10% increase in transportation costs over 2019-20, we anticipate a transportation budget line deficit of $300,000+.
- COVID-19 related expenditures this fiscal year have totaled nearly $1 million, which includes:
- $600K+ for technology (equipping teachers for blended learning and providing tech devices/internet access for students in need)
- $164K+ for staff/health aides, and
- $100K+ in facilities expenses (investments in air filtration systems district-wide, additional health & safety measures to meet DOH guidelines for operating schools)
Unknowns:
- Additional State revenue/aid shortfalls are predicted.
- Conditions around the COVID-19 pandemic will determine which learning model(s) the District can offer for the remainder of this school year and result in budgetary impact. Maximizing in-person learning (our most costly model) continues to be our aim.
2021-2022 INITIAL OUTLOOK & PROJECTIONS
What do we know? What do we not know about next year’s budget?
Based on current assumptions, we can look ahead to provide initial projections around the next fiscal year budget. If we were to “roll over” this year’s budget to next year, our initial projections would require us to reduce the budget by $1.9 million to keep within the State tax levy cap.
What We Already Know:
- Our collective bargaining agreements have all been settled, so we know what to expect when it comes to salary rates of change.
- TRS (Teachers Retirement System) contributions will increase an estimated .5% over the current year budget, resulting in an approximate $300K increase.
- We do know that county sales tax revenues seem to be rebounding.
What We Don’t Yet Know:
- Staff member retirements
- Method(s) of instruction –in-person, remote, hybrid
- Enrollment — overall and by method of instruction
- Revenues — state aid, sales tax, facilities use
- Expenditures — personnel, technology, facilities
- Tax levy cap factors — CPI, growth factor
LOOKING AHEAD…
What are some anticipated long-term budgetary challenges?
- Prolonged shortfalls in State funding
- Projected enrollment increases
- Further constraints of the tax cap levy law and our ability to grow the budget
Questions We are Considering:
- How do we maintain the quality of programs, despite uncertainties and variables?
- What budgetary actions have we taken in recent years that provide stability? Where are we still vulnerable?
- How do we become more efficient in the delivery of education?
- What will we invest in to build on our District’s goals and core values? How do we invest in things that will pay dividends over time?
- How do we ensure equity in education for all students?
- What strategies will we use to manage the budget and put us in a healthy position for the future?
- How do we best engage the community in the budget process?
Replay of budget portion of BOE meeting.
2020-2021 budget planning calendar