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Total spending comes in at $89,947,796, an increase of 2.36 percent from the current school year's budget. The tax levy, which represents the budget's total property tax revenue, would rise to about $69.7 million, or by 2.18 percent. The levy change is within the state-mandated cap on annual increases.
The budget calls for a net decrease in jobs. Net staffing at Brewster High School for general education would drop by 2.3 jobs, while there would be a net decline of half a position for general education at Henry H. Wells Middle School. The district's two elementary schools would not have a net change in staffing for general education.
Changes in special-education jobs vary, with cuts including four teacher aides at C.V. Starr Intermediate School, a loss of three positions in self-contained classes at a trio of school building and the loss of a behavioral analyst who will be replaced with a contracted position. However, the budget calls for adding 2.5 co-teaching jobs at the high school.
The budget also calls for cutting 7.5 transportation jobs, including three bus drivers and 4.5 bus monitors.
Voters are also asked to decide on a bond referendum proposition to authorize borrowing $479,975 to replace several school buses. The average annual tax cost from the proposition is $6 in Southeast and $4 in Patterson, the district notes. The financial impact of the bonding will not kick in until the 2016-17 budget, the district adds.
Meanwhile, voters will have contested school board elections. Incumbents Stephen Jambor and Sonia Mesika are running for re-election while fellow incumbent is not, according to District Clerk Susan Gavin. Three challengers are also in the running. They are Daniel Armstrong, May Cay Nilsen and Lauren Harper.
The top-three voter earners will be those who win the elections.
Voting is scheduled to take place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will be at Brewster High School.
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