The $281,067,000 spending plan invests in 20 more positions, resources for special education and building maintenance, and addresses priorities from administrators and the community
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (May 21, 2019) – Residents approved the City School District of New Rochelle’s proposed budget for the 2019-2020 school year by a vote of 2,232-1,122. The results remain unofficial pending verification by the District Clerk and acceptance by the Board of Education.
The $281,067,000 budget maintains existing programs and adds more than 20 positions, improves resources in areas such as special education and building maintenance, addresses priorities expressed by administrators and the community such as supports in social-emotional health and stays within the state-mandated property tax cap.
“The support from this community for this budget holds true to our commitment to provide the very best education for our students while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Magda Parvey. “The community has taken another major step to ensure the continued success of its students.”
“I am thankful to the voters of New Rochelle for their support of the 2019-20 budget,” Board of Education President Jeffrey Hastie said. “The School District continues to put its students in the best position to be successful in their academic careers.”
The budget includes additional special education teachers, English as a New Language instructors, academic intervention specialists, a literacy coach and Spanish teachers. Clinicians – two social workers and a counselor – would be added at the middle school level.
The budget also calls for an Assistant Director – Instructional Technology to evaluate the current instructional technology program and to foster a consistent and innovative approach to the use of technology in teaching, learning and exploration across the District.
The spending increase totals $10.7 million, or 3.95% over this year’s $270,381,160 budget. It is supported partly by increases of $4 million in state aid and $2 million in other non-tax revenue. The District will receive $51,470,106 in state aid for the next year, up from $47,416,327 for the current year’s budget.
The instructional and related positions added to meet state mandates and address priorities expressed by administrators and community members include:
- -4 special education teachers (2 for NRHS, 2 for the middle schools),
- -3.4 English as a new language teachers (1 each for Jefferson and Trinity elementary schools, 0.6 for NRHS, 0.4 each for Ward Elementary School and Isaac E. Young Middle School),
- -2 academic intervention specialists for NRHS,
- -1.6 Spanish teachers (0.6 for Albert Leonard Middle School, 0.5 each for Columbus and Trinity elementary schools),
- -1 middle school social studies chairperson,
- -1 fifth-grade teacher for Columbus,
- -1 districtwide speech teacher,
- -1 home and careers teacher for IEYMS,
- -1 counselor for ALMS,
- -2 social workers for (one each for ALMS and IEYMS),
- -1 nurse for ALMS,
- -1 literacy coach for Davis Elementary School, and
- -1 districtwide elementary school literacy coordinator.
The total cost of those positions is estimated at $2.4 million. Other positions added under the plan are four general school aides who would assist with bus monitoring and school security; a night custodial supervisor; and a painter. Two network technicians are recommended for the Technology Department, in addition to an Assistant Director.
Among the items favored by the community, the budget allots $250,000 for a new press box and $200,000 for a renovated concession stand, both at New Rochelle High School’s McKenna Field.
Capital projects also include partial roof repairs and replacement of auditorium seating at several schools.
The tax levy – the dollar amount to be raised by property taxes – will be $213,591,114, which is an increase of $4,588,952, or 2.2% from the current tax levy of $209,002,162, staying within the increase permitted by the cap.
Voters also elected two members to the Board of Education. The two highest vote-getters – William Iannuzzi and Valarie D. Williams – will serve five-year terms beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2024.
About the City School District of New Rochelle
With nearly 11,000 students in 10 schools, the City School District of New Rochelle, through an active partnership amongst community, parents, staff and students, provides a high-quality and challenging education for every child, in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces rich diversity and drives success.
