Superintendent's Message

Over the past two years, Lindenhurst has lost over $6.5 million in state aid. These state aid cuts were painful. The additional state aid given to Lindenhurst in Governor Cuomo’s recent budget proposal for 2012-13 is approximately 1.5 million. Lindenhurst UFSD anticipates receiving over $5 million less state aid in 2012-13 than we received in 2009-10. The extra assistance proposed by the governor comes with strings attached.

The governor has given districts until January 17, 2013 to adopt a new teacher evaluation system which is still in litigation and which has not been fully clarified by the New York State Education Department. Moreover, while state mandates and educational demands are increasing, the State is imposing a 2% tax cap beginning in 2012-13. This means that the district can pass along no more than a two (2%) percent increase in the tax levy (with certain exclusions) or the Consumer Price Index if it is less. The other alternative is to ask the taxpayers to “pierce the cap” which would require 60% or more of the voters to agree to a larger increase in the tax levy. The Board of Education and I recognize that we are living through a depressed economy. Many of our residents are having difficulty making ends meet and many jobs have been lost. However, the quality of education is at stake. We must ask ourselves, “What cuts should we make and how will they affect our educational program?”  

Beginning on February 29, we will hold a series of Budget Workshops (see dates below). We want our school community to be knowledgeable, to be involved and to be informed. We want to continue to foster trust and awareness in our community. We believe that attending and participating in these workshops will help promote a better understanding of the complex issues we face and will give us multiple perspectives.  

In addition, we urge you to share your opinions in an online survey on our district website. We would like to hear your ideas about school budgets, programs and services.  Please go to www.lindenhurstschools.org and click on the tax cap survey link to let us know what you think about the tax cap and other budgetary issues that impact our community and our children. We are facing some daunting challenges and we need your help to navigate through them.


Wednesday, February 29    
Budget Overview, Community Input Night

Tuesday, March 6    
Buildings and Grounds, Special Education, Transportation

Wednesday, March 14    
Building Budgets (supplies, equipment, textbooks) Technology, Athletics

Monday, March 19    
Personnel: Instructional and Non-Instructional

Tuesday, March 27    
Finalize 2012-2013 Budget

Wednesday, April 4    
Board of Education Business Meeting and Budget Adoption