Snapshot of the School Budget/e-Newsletter May 2018

Headlines and Highlights Across the School District

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May 2018

BUDGET VOTE/SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

7:00 am-9:00 pm Dobbs Ferry High School Gymnasium

Click here to view full Budget Newsletter

Proposition 1- Budget

Budget Remains Well Below the Tax Cap with Levy

Increase of 0.97%

The proposed 2018-2019 Dobbs Ferry School District budget enables our schools to provide quality educational opportunities for all students while maintaining or enhancing instructional programs in grades K-12. For the 7th year in a row, the proposed tax levy is under the State Property Tax Cap. Equally important, the proposed budget enables the District to:

Expand security
Support student social and emotional wellness
Enhance the IB Middle Years Program and IB Diploma Programs
Promote compost and recycling initiatives

Proposed 2018-2019 Budget Highlights:

Add one math and one social studies teacher in the Middle School to reduce class sizes
Add one social worker and one nurse to support social and emotional wellness
Add two teaching assistants to aid special needs students at the High School
Replace Chromebooks in 6th and 9th grades
Replace outdated fitness equipment
Provide funding for IB testing and High School science supplies
Increase daytime and evening security staff at all three schools

Detailed information about the proposed 2018-2019 budget can be found on the District website at www.dfsd.org

Letter from the Board of Education

Dear Dobbs Ferry School District Resident,

The Board of Education is pleased to present the proposed 2018-2019

school budget and happy to report that it once again stays under the tax cap.

The Budget supports the District’s new Strategic Plan, which includes a

focus on the social-emotional and physical well-being of our students and staff, making room for an additional school nurse and a social worker. The budget also includes funds for additional teachers to help reduce class size in the Middle School.

When you go to the polls, in addition to voting on the budget (Proposition 1) and electing Board of Education Trustees, you will also be asked to vote on Proposition 2, the establishment of a Capital Improvements Reserve Fund 2018. An audit of our auditorium was completed in December 2017, and the results showed that this vital performance and community space needs extensive renovation, including air-conditioning and other important updates. The District is looking forward to starting this project down the road, and the Board believes it makes sense to reserve the funds now so that the money is available when the time comes. Renovations to the auditorium will enhance a valuable asset to our school community and to all Dobbs Ferry residents.

The Board of Education appreciates the trust that you place in us to put

forth a budget that enables our students to receive an excellent education

while maximizing the value of your tax dollars. We invite you to review the information in this newsletter and on our website, and we encourage you to exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 .

Sincerely,

Jean Lucasey , President

Dobbs Ferry Board of Education

Proposition 2 - Capital Reserve Fund

The Dobbs Ferry School District would like to establish a Capital Improvements Reserve Fund 2018 to help pay for future capital projects. The law requires a public vote to establish the fund.

In essence, the Capital Improvements Reserve Fund 2018 is a type of "savings account" which allows us to set aside money for the School District's facilities and physical plant. This money can be used only for capital projects and not for routine maintenance.

Funds in a capital reserve account would reduce the amount of borrowing required for future capital projects.

If generated, unspent monies in the District's General Fund could be put into the Capital Improvements Reserve Fund 2018 to use for capital improvement projects over a 10-year period.