On Monday, Shelter Island School Superintendent Brian Doelger outlined proposed 2022/23 educational program expenses.
Costs for regular education are anticipated to rise somewhat to $3.8 million, and in special areas to slightly fall.
Two weeks earlier, he framed the overall budget for the school board in a school budget proposal that stays below the state’s tax levy cap.
Further budget discussions take place through April. Email questions to district clerk Jacki Dunning at jacki.dunning@shelterisland.k12.ny.us.
Please note all figures are subject to change.
Academic Administration and General Classroom Instruction
Two administrators and 28 teachers provide general classroom instruction to the district’s students. The district also employs non-instructional personnel who assist teachers and administrators. Other classroom costs:
- Equipment is any object purchased for instructional use that costs more than $500
- Contractual expenses include field trip fees and Response to Intervention (RTI) expenses
- Materials and supplies include textbooks and instructional items under $500
| 2021/22 Budget | Proposed 2022/23 Budget | $ Change | % Change | |
| Academic Administration & Curriculum Development | $358,348 | $409,760 | $95,669 | +14.35* |
| Classroom Instructional Salaries | $3,102,282 | $3,076,504 | ($25,778) | -0.83 |
| Classroom Non-instructional Salaries | $111,451 | $165,853 | $54,402 | +48.81* |
| Classroom Equipment | $3,780 | $3,780 | 0 | 0 |
| Classroom Contractual Expenses | $44,118 | $46,781 | $2,663 | +13.77 |
| Classroom Materials & Supplies | $127,490 | $137,460 | $9,970 | +7.82 |
| Total | $3,744,469 | $3,840,138 | $95,669 | +2.55 |
Special Areas
These areas are grouped together in the budget: Special Education, Occupational Education, Summer School, Library & Computer Instruction, and Guidance, Counseling & Health.
Students with Special Education needs receive uniquely tailored instruction, Dr. Doelger said. The Committee on Special Education writes an Individual Education Plan for each eligible student. Such instruction might include:
- Smaller class sizes
- One-to-one aides to focus on learning tasks
- Speech instruction, physical therapy and occupational therapy
- Residential settings with limited outside influences
Select high school students can attend half-day courses at BOCES to learn career and occupational skills. BOCES sets the rates based on a three-year rolling average to stabilize costs. The district’s current rolling average is down to one student. Therefore, the district must pay for one student to attend BOCES occupational education programs regardless of enrollment.
Additionally, in July, the district provides summer reading and math instruction for elementary-aged students. A guidance counselor works with students to select courses and plan a cohesive and logical study progression. The counselor helps seniors apply for college and prepare for career pathways.
A psychologist and social worker provide counseling and specialized services to students and families. In addition, the school nurse monitors student health and works with families and local physicians to promote healthy lifestyles.
| 2021/22 Budget | Proposed 2022/23 Budget | $ Change | % Change | |
| Special Education | $1,153,484 | $1,112,982 | ($40,502) | -3.51 |
| Occupational Education | $42,999 | $14,618 | ($28,381) | -66.00* |
| Summer School | $23,575 | $24,990 | $1,415 | +6.00 |
| Library & Computer Instruction | $305,012 | $314,876 | $9,864 | +3.23 |
| Guidance, Counseling & Health | $496,316 | $539,414 | $43,098 | +8.68** |
| Total | $2,021,386 | $2,006,880 | ($14,506) | -0.72 |
Co-Curricular Activities & Athletics
After-school offerings include:
- Art Club
- Book Craft Club
- DECA Business Club
- Jazz Band
- NHS
- NJHS
- School newspaper
- Science Club
- Select Choir
- Student Council
- Unity Club
- Yearbook
Field trip chaperones, the school newspaper, and the annual science fair are also in this budget section.
Athletics
The district offers these opportunities for students in grades 7 to 12 (Boys/Girls means separate teams; Coed indicates teams with boys and girls combined):
| Sport | Junior High | Junior Varsity | Varsity | No Level |
| Baseball | – | – | Boys | – |
| Basketball | Boys/Girls | Boys/Girls | Boys | – |
| Cheerleading | – | – | – | Coed |
| Cross Country | Boys/Girls* | – | Boys/Girls | – |
| Golf | – | – | Coed | – |
| Softball | – | Girls | – | – |
| Track | Boys/Girls* | – | – | – |
| Volleyball | Girls | Coed | Coed | – |
| Winter Track | – | – | Coed | – |
| Intramural Fitness | Coed | – | – | – |
| Intramural Running | Coed | – | – | – |
| Intramural Tennis | Coed | – | – | – |
Proposed athletics expenditures for 2022/23 are:
| 2021/22 Budget | Proposed 2022/23 Budget | $ Change | % Change | |
| Co-Curricular Activities | $106,469 | $107,123 | $654 | +0.61 |
| Athletics | $169,944 | $178,971 | $9,027 | +5.31 |
| Total | $276,413 | $286,094 | $9,681 | +3.50 |
Revenues
Essential to the revenue side of the plan is the state aid package. While it is unavailable, Dr. Doelger said Monday that the district might receive as much as 4 percent more for 2022/23. The state budget is due April 1.
Future budget meetings
To learn more, attend future budget meetings:
- February 15 – Facilities, transportation and capital
- February 28 – General budget workshop
- March 14 – Budget overview and adjustments
- April 11 – Budget adoption by the BOE
- May 9 – Budget hearing at BOE Meeting
- May 17 – Budget vote, noon to 9 PM in the school gym.
Follow this link to see budget materials on the district website.
Previously presented budget information
Previously, the superintendent presented an overall budget framework and details about salaries and benefits.
[You can read full coverage of that presentation in this post.]
A complete budget proposal is in the works. However, for reference, here is an overview of 2021/22 adopted expenditures:
| 2021/22 Budget | |
| Administration, Buildings & Grounds, Data | $1,794,274 |
| Insurance and BOCES Administration | $178,010 |
| Academic Administration | $358,348 |
| Regular School | $3,153,886 |
| Special and Occupational Education | $1,196,483 |
| Computer, Library, Summer, ESL | $521,352 |
| Guidance, Counseling, Health | $496,316 |
| Club and Athletics | $276,413 |
| Transportation | $517,245 |
| Benefits and Debt Service | $3,750,620 |
| Transfers to Cafeteria & Special Aid | $136,000 |
| Total | $12,384,947 |
Proposed 2022/23 salary costs
| 2021/22 Budget | 2022/23 Proposed Budget | $ Change | % Change | |
| BOE | $122,809 | $125,458 | $2,649 | +2.16 |
| Central Administration | $211,936 | $220,260 | $8,324 | +3.93 |
| Business Office and Treasury | $354,982 | $320,224 | ($34,758) | -9.79* |
| Auditing and Legal | $99,579 | $102,878 | ($3,299) | +3.31 |
| Purchasing and Personnel | $4,458 | $4,547 | $89 | +2.00 |
| Real Property Insurance | $57,000 | $58,140 | $1,140 | +2.00 |
| BOCES Administration | $116,210 | $119,580 | $3,3370 | +2.90 |
| Total | $966,973 | $951,088 | ($15,885) | -1.64 |
Benefits
- All employees of the District are required to participate in either the New York State Teachers Retirement System (teachers and administrators) or the New York State Employees Retirement System (clerical, custodial and other support staff). The systems set contribution rates. Total anticipated pension and social security cost is $1,163,553 as follows:
| Pensions | TRS | ERS | Social Security |
| Proposed Applicable Salaries | $4,995,183 | $1,238,207 | $6,233,390 |
| Contribution Rate | 10.5% | 13.1% | 7.65% |
| Proposed Budget appropriation | $524,494 | $162,205 | $476,854 |
For health insurance, Dr. Doelger noted that contribution rates are negotiated in employment contracts and can only be changed through an agreement of the district and the relevant union. All active employees pay a share of health insurance (most pay about 20 percent), but most retirees do not as their benefits were set at the time of employment (but they come off the district rolls as they age into Medicare).
Dr. Doelger noted that employees who have coverage elsewhere are eligible for a waiver payment, which is less costly for the district.
Total share costs for active employees are:
- Single = $14,353.44
- Family = $33,164.88
The total anticipated cost for health insurance is:
| Health Insurance | 2021/22 Budget | 2022/23 Proposed Budget | % Change |
| Medical Insurance Waiver | $152,537 | $167,826 | +9.11 |
| Employee Medical Insurance | $1,090,550 | $1,070,569 | -1.87 |
| Retiree Medical Insurance | $792,098 | $647,294 | -23.37 |
The district, like other employers, also has to budget for costs associated with mandated unemployment and workers’ compensation. The budget for benefits is as follows:
| 2021/22 Budget | Spent/Encumbered by 1/15/2021 | Proposed 2022/23 Budget | % Change | |
| Pension & Social Security | $1,115,287 | $325,830 | $1,195,992 | +7.24 |
| Health Insurance & Other | $2,217,855 | $1,824,718 | $2,067,814 | -6.77 |
| Total | $3,333,142 | $2,150,548 | $3,263,806 | -2.08 |
