Revised School Budget Passes By 62 Percent

Garden City residents have spoken ... again. But this time around they passed the school district's revised 2010-2011 $97,988,490 budget 3,241 to 1,991.

Garden City was one of 10 Long Island school districts whose budget failed May 18. Tuesday's re-vote drew 5,232 residents to the polls as compared to the 3,121 residents that voted last month.

"We're delighted," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen told Patch Tuesday evening. "We're happy with the community's support. I think it shows good support for the choices the board made and we'll move on from here. And we appreciate all the feedback we got because it helps us plan for the future, too."

Nearly 62 percent of residents approved the revised spending plan, which calls for a budget-to-budget increase of 2.91 percent (reduced from 3.21 percent) and a 4.18 percent tax levy increase (reduced from 4.52 percent). 

Addressing residents at Tuesday night's board of education meeting shortly after the results were announced, president Colleen Foley said, "I guess I'd like to take this opportunity to thank those who came to meetings, supported us, gave us their opinions in developing this budget in getting to this point. I am, we all are, extremely happy that we have a budget going forward to next year."

After residents shot down the initial $98,275,256 budget by 203 votes (1,662 to 1,459), the school board had three options - present the same budget again, put forth a revised budget or go straight to a contingency budget. 

After minor tweaks, school officials opted to present a slightly lower budget, with the majority of the savings stemming from the New York State sponsored retirement initiative, according to board members.

If the budget failed again, New York State law would have required the board to adopt a contingent or "austerity" budget for the 2010-11 school year, slashing an additional $2.3 million and forcing more cuts.

According to district officials, the difference between the budget presented June 15 and a contingency budget: 51 cents a day; $15.56 a month; and $186.70 a year.