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Points of Pride

 

 

The White Plains Board of Education has announced the district’s 2012-13 budget planning process, continuing the successful community-wide forums held last year.

“Next year’s budget will be a tremendous challenge, responding to the state-imposed 2% property tax levy cap, in addition to the difficult economic situation," said Board President Rosemarie Eller.  "With proposed carry-forward increases of $4.5 million in salaries, pension costs and reductions in aid, the district will need to consider about $1 million in budget reductions to remain within the cap.”

The district is seeking broad input on the budget from the community, beginning with two Budget Forums to be held in January: The first is Wednesday, January 11, at 7:30 P.M., in the B-1 Room at White Plains High School. The second is Wednesday, January 18, at 7:30 P.M. in the Church Street School Cafeteria. 

Following the distribution of the preliminary Proposed Budget in March, two additional forums will be held for community response. One will take place on March 14th,at 7:30 P.M., at Post Road School and the other at the High School, on March 21st.
 
Additional meetings will take place in the community and any group or organization wishing to host such a meeting may contact the  Superintendent’s Office at 422-2033.   Discussions have also been held with staff to solicit their input.
All residents are invited to attend these sessions, to participate in focused dialogue on spending efficiencies, areas of concern, budget priorities and creative ways to increase revenues.
A review of the district's financial situation, the state's and city's financial constraints, and other issues relating to development of the budget will be presented.

The district will also hold two Public Hearings: the first on March 12th, on the Preliminary Proposed Budget, and the second on May 7th, on the Board of Education’s Adopted Proposed Budget. Both hearings will take place at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane, at 7:30 P.M.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher P. Clouet said, “We hope to work together with the community to develop a budget that maintains the high quality of education in White Plains and that is fiscally responsible and can be supported by the taxpayers in the May 15th vote.”

 
The community is encouraged to visit the district’s website, 
www.whiteplainspublicschools.org, for information on the budget.