P A G E 1

C E N T R A L S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

Committed to the Pursuit of Life-Long Learning

MAY 2010 NEWS FROM

n Tuesday, May 18, Averill Park residents will vote on a proposed $55,437,669 budget for the 2010-11 school year, a .92% spending decrease

from the current year. The budget continues to support Averill Park’s core educational programs despite a projected $2.5 million cut in state aid to the district next year, but will result in only a 1.96% tax levy increase. At an unprecedented time in our economy we are doing “more with less” because of our community’s support. The budget put forth by the Board of Education this year continues this trend. This budget reduces expenses by $512,787, from last year’s, yet provides our students with tremendous opportunities. Many times a crisis leads

to new ideas. One of the initiatives is the establishment of Distance Learning. Through a grant received by HVCC we are able to equip a lab at no cost to the district, and offer not only Japanese, but other courses. Our teacher of Japanese will continue to teach our students, and by doing so in the new lab, she will reach other students from other districts. Through a cooperative agreement via Questar the district will be reimbursed for expenses, be able to continue a program that may have been cut, and add to offerings! Students may take courses that we don’t offer like Bio-ethics and Advanced Placement Psychology at no additional cost to the district. Our district is working to ensure that our students are gaining 21st century skills. This means that they will graduate ready to enter technical schools, college or the work force prepared to engage in the jobs available throughout the Tech Valley region. The education of students is a direct result of the support of the community. Some of their amazing achievements are very obvious to the public. Our varsity girls’ basketball team is the best in the state! They are a scholar-athlete team as well. Our track team is the number one scholar-athlete track team in the state. Our music program and art program are often highlighted in the media because our students perform so well. In addition, our NYS school report card indicates that our students and teachers are achieving at high levels! All of our student groups made “adequate yearly progress” which is

OSpending to Decrease $517,787Voterstodecidethree

separateballotissuesResidents will consider three ballot propositions, that ask in essence:

Whether the proposed 55,437,669 budget should be adopted.

Whether the board of education should be authorized to purchase twelve school buses for an estimated maximum cost of 851,018. Averill Park will be reimbursed for 78% of the cost of the new buses by NYS. The district would borrow money to pay for the buses, which would be paid back over a five year period.

Which candidates should be elected to fill three (3) three-year seats on the board of education. The candidates are in ballot order: Peter Schaefer, Michael Dimin, William Reinhardt, Tammie Fanfa, Doriann Salisbury, Steven Valente, and Neil Bonesteel.

Boy’sTrackTeamNamedStateScholarAthleteTeamTheboystrackteamwasrecentlyhonoredasthenumberoneStateScholarAthleteTeambytheNewYorkStatePublicHighSchoolAthleticAssociation.Theboysteamhada97.225average!Greatwork!

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P A G E 2

C E N T R A L S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

Whathappensifresidentsvotenoonthebudget?

If Averill Park’s proposed budget is defeated, the district can hold another vote and offer residents either the same or a revised budget, or it can adopt a contingency budget that would limit how much spending could increase.

If the budget is defeated twice, the district must adopt a contingency budget. Should the proposed budget not receive voter approval, a contin-gent budget would require substantial administrative, teaching and sup-port staff reductions totaling $738,695. Thiswillincreaseclasssizes,reducesportsteams,library,music,extracur-ricularandforeignlanguageprograms. Additionally, a contingent budget will require the elimination of all non-essential equipment purchases form the proposed budget.

SENIORCITIZENDISCOUNTS

The Board of Education discounts school taxes for residents who are over age 65 and meet income guidelines. These discounts must be applied for annually at the town assessor’s office.

the measure used at the state and federal level to indicate that the district is doing very well. Our graduation rate is top in Rensselaer County and one of the top three in our entire region. We are maintaining class sizes within board guidelines to help our students achieve. We are continuing our terrific music, art, extracurricular and athletic programs all at a cost level that is much less than similar districts and far less than the NYS average cost per pupil. We have accomplished all of this with tax levy impacts of 2.57% and 0% over the last two years and a proposed tax levy increase of 1.96% for this year. Please make sure that you review all of the information carefully and be sure to vote on May 18.

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Robotics21stCenturyskillsarefun!ThroughagrantfromtheAverillParkEducationFoundation,ourstudentsareworkingwithRoboticstodevelopprototypesthatwillaccomplishcomplextasks.

Annual income range Exemption

$0-$27,000.......................................... 50%

$27,001-28,000................................... 45%

$28,001-$29,000................................. 40%

$29,001-$30,000................................. 35%

$30,001-$30,900................................. 30%

$30,901-$31,800................................. 25%

$31,801-$32,700................................. 20%

$32,701-$33,600................................. 15%

$33,601-$34,500................................. 10%

$34,501-$35,400................................... 5%

P A G E 3

Board of Education CandidatesThere are seven candidates for three (3) seats. Candidates are listed in ballot order:

Peter Schaefer, Michael Dimin, William Reinhardt, Tammie Fanfa, Doriann Salisbury, Steven Valente and Neil Bonesteel.

For more candidate information, please visit the district website : www.averillpark.k12.ny.usPeter Schaefer Michael Dimin William Reinhardt

Tammie Fanfa Doriann Salisbury Neil Bonesteel

ServiceLearningatAlgonquinService learning projects at Algonquin Middle School are teaching students to be good community members. The rewards are endless!

Steven Valente

Photo not provided to district.

P A G E 4

M A Y 2 0 1 0 N E W S

REVENUES:WheremoneycomesfromtopayforAverillPark’sschools

StateaidWhen state aid for both operating and capital expenses are combined, they provide 44 percent of Averill Park’s revenues.

LocaltaxesLocal taxes also provide about 44 percent of the district’s revenues.

Source Actual Proposed DollarofRevenue 2009-10 2010-11 Change

State Aid Operating: $20,616,088 $18,112,971* (2,503,117)

Local School Tax: 24,048,007 24,518,568 470,561

State Aid Capital: 6,864,501 6,316,028 (548,473)

Miscellaneous: 1,883,733 2,127,733 244,000

Fund Balance: 1,615,809 3,712,369 2,096,560

Debt Service Transfer: 922,318 650,000 (272,318)

Total: $55,950,456 $55,437,669 (512,787)

EXPENSES:HowmoneyisspentforAverillPark’sschools

Actual Proposed DollarExpenses 2009-10 2010-11 Change

OperatingExpenses

Personnel - Salaries $28,152,567 $28,867,779 $715,212

Personnel - Benefits 11,996,188 12,381,932 $385,744

Non-Personnel Items 7,779,067 7,456,190 (322,877)

TotalOperatingExpenses $47,927,822 $48,705,901 $778,079

CapitalExpenses

Debt Service Buildings $7,525,991 $6,536,888 (989,103)

Debt Service Buses 496,643 194,880 (301,763)

TotalCapitalExpenses $8,022,634 $6,731,768 (1,290,866)

Total $55,950,456 $55,437,669 (512,787)

REVENUES EXPENSES

StateAid(OperatingExpenses)=32.67%

LocalSchoolTaxes=44.23%

Salaries=52.07%

Benefits=22.34%

Non-PersonnelOperatingExpenses=13.45%

DebtService(Buildings)=11.79%

DebtService(Buses)=.35%

StateAid(Capital

Expenses)=11.39%

Misc.=3.84%

DebtServiceTransfers

=1.17%%

FundBalance=6.70%

AverillPark’sAccomplishmentsataGlance➢APCSD is a high performing district.

➢ Coach of the Year Sean Organ

➢ AP Warriors Girls Basketball Team #1 in New York State!

➢ Boys Track Team named New York State scholar athlete track team

➢ Award winning students and teachers at every level

➢ Providing more programs for less money through partnerships and grants

➢ Low class size maintained

➢ Providing technolo-gical training to meet the needs of industry

GoingGreener!The district has been concentrating on saving energy to contribute to a greener environment. Along with avoiding $2 million in utilities costs though our Energy Education program over the past several years, the district recently won a $291,000 NYSERDA grant to install photo voltaic panels on the High School. In addition, Averill Park High School, Algonquin, George Washington, Miller Hill, Sand Lake and West Sand Lale were recently named ENERGY STAR buildings. Buildings with that designation cost significantly less to operate and improve the quality of our environment. We are also recycling, building a greenhouse and planting our own vegetables as part of our farm to school project.

*Includes GAP Elimination State Aid reduction of $2,589,982

AverillPark’sClassof2009

➢85% of gradu-ates earned Regents diplomas, 48% of those students earned Regents diplomas with advanced designation by complet-ing additional require-ments in science, math, and foreign languages

➢11 students achieved a CTE (Career Technical Education) endorse-ment on their diploma through Questar III coursework.

➢85% of the Class of 2009 continued their formal educa-tion. Colleges included: Albany College of Pharmacy, American University, Clarkson University, Embry-Riddle, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Marist, RPI, Russell Sage, Siena, Syracuse, University of Rhode Island and various New York State (SUNY) Colleges.

P A G E 5

M A Y 2 0 1 0 N E W S

2007-2008SchoolYear GeneralEducation SpecialEducation

Instructional Expenditures $26,348,444 $10,158,782

Pupils 3,406 543

InstructionalExpendituresPerPupil $7,736 $18,709

Instructional Expenditures $7,656,623,209 $2,793,952,009

Pupils 841,057 115,678

InstructionalExpendituresPerPupil $9,104 $24,153

Instructional Expenditures $27,938,976,618 $10,038,982,860

Pupils 2,723,955 410,099

InstructionalExpendituresPerPupil $10,257 $24,479

New York State Education Law and the Commissioner’s Regulations require the attachment of the NYS School Report Card to the public school district budget proposal. The regulations require that certain expenditure ratios for general education and special education students be reported and compared with ratios for similar districts and all public schools in New York State. The required ratios for this district are reported below.

TheNewYorkStateSchoolReportCardFiscalAccountabilitySupplementforAverillParkCentralSchoolDistrcit

ThisSchoolDistrict

SimilarDistrictGroup

AllPublicSchools

SimilarDistrictGroupDescription:AverageNeed/ResourceCapacity

ConsolidatingElementarySchools Averill Park, like many districts across the country, has been forced to consolidate schools due to declining enrollment and state budget shortfalls. The District will operate three K-5 buildings beginning in September 2010. Our district currently operates five elementary schools including three K-5 buildings (George Washington, Poestenkill & West Sand Lake), one K-3 building (Miller Hill) and one grades 4-5 building (Sand Lake). At the District’s enrollment peak of 3,590 students in 2003, each of these buildings was at, or close to, its capacity. Since that time, the District’s enrollment has steadily decreased and it is anticipated that the 2010-11 enrollment will be about 3,260, a 330 student decrease from the 2003 peak. The impact of this enrollment decline is highlighted by this year’s transition of 266 5th grade students to the middle school, while the 2010-11 incoming kindergarten enrollment is only 170 students. Although the District will not be using the George Washington School or the Sand Lake School, there are no plans to sell either of these buildings. Both buildings will be rented to generate revenue for the District, with any rental agreement including a provision for the District to reoccupy the building within 12 months should enrollment dictate. Additionally, the build-ings and play areas will continue to be available to the community during evenings and weekends. Though consolidation is an emotional issue, it has become an economic necessity. Through this increased efficiency, the District will be able to maintain class size guidelines and all instructional programs.

GirlsBasketballTeamNumber1inNYS!Forthefirsttimeinschoolhistory,theladywarriorswonthestatechampionshipandwentontowintheFederationClassAChampionship.AverillParkisveryproudoftheLadyWarriors!

C E N T R A L S C H O O L S

P A G E 6

M A Y 2 0 1 0 N E W S

NONPROFITORGANIZATION

CAR-RT SORTU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDAverill Park, NYPermit No. 11

BOARD OF EDUCATIONNeil Bonesteel, PresidentPam Tatar, Vice President

Chris FosterJennie GlasserPeter SchaeferSteve ValenteJessica Zweig

ADMINISTRATIONJosephine P. Moccia, Ed.DSuperintendent of Schools

Sharon LawrenceAssistant Superintendent

Michael OuimetAssistant Superintendent for Business

For more information,please call the district at (518) 674-7066

To: BOX HOLDER POSTAL PATRON RURAL ROUTE STAR ROUTE

8439 Miller Hill Road, St. 1Averill Park, New York 12018

Who may vote?In order to vote, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the Averill Park CSD for at least 30 days prior to May 18. Advance registration is NOT required however, you will be asked to show proof of residency. Such forms may include a driver’s license, a non-driver identification card, a utility bill, or a voter registration card.

Where do we vote?AverillParkHighSchoolauxiliarygym

Polls are open from 7 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Still have questions?VisittheschooldistrictWebsite

www.averillpark.k12.ny.us

Schooldistrictsarerequiredbystatelawtomailthisinformationtoallhouseholdswithinthedistrict.

Ifyouwouldlikeadditionalinformationabouttheproposedbudget,pleasecalltheSuperintendent’sOfficeat(518)674-7066.

s

BasicSTARexemptionimpactEstimated Basic STAR Exemption Savings:

Averill Park Central School DistrictSCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET NOTICE

Budgetproposedforthe2010-11schoolyear

Basic STAR tax savings $ 480

Overallbudgetproposal Contingency Budget adopted Budget proposed budget for for the 2009-10 for the 2010-11 the 2010-11 school year school year school year

Total budgeted amount $ 55,950,456 $ 55,437,669 $ 54,698,974Decrease for the 2010-11 school year $ (512,787) $ (738,695)Percentage decrease in each proposed budget -0.92% -1.32%Change in the Consumer Price Index -0.40%Resulting estimated property tax levy

for the 2010-11 school year $ 24,518,568 $ 23,779,873

Administrative component $ 4,197,359 $ 4,265,690 $ 4,198,690Program component $ 39,820,549 $ 40,883,132 $ 40,211,437Capital component $ 11,932,548 $ 10,288,847 $ 10,288,847

Shouldtheproposedbudgetnotreceivevoterapproval,acontingentbudgetwouldrequiresubstantialadministrative,teachingandsupportstaffreductionstotaling$738,695.Thesechangeswillincreaseclasssizes,andreducelibrary,athletics,music,extracurricularactivitiesandforeignlanguageprograms.Additionally,acontingentbudgetwillrequiretheeliminationofallnon-essentialequipmentpurchasesfromtheproposedbudget.

Theannualbudgetvoteforthefiscalyear2010-11bythequalifiedvotersoftheAverillParkCentralSchoolDistrictinRensselaerCounty,NewYork,willbeheldatAverillParkHighSchoolAuxiliaryGym,insaiddistrictonTuesday,May18,2010,betweenthehoursof7a.m.and9p.m.,prevailingtimeintheAverillParkHighSchool,atwhichtimethepollswillbeopenedtovotebyvotingballotmachine.