The Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Finance is comprised of Manhasset residents who broadly represent the community. It serves as an independent liaison between the community and the Board of Education regarding the annual operating budget for the School District.

Throughout the month of April, the CACF members met with school administration officials to review the rationale behind the budget increases as part of the administration’s efforts to provide transparency to the community.

The expenses in the proposed budget for the 2022-2023 school year increase by 2.23% compared to the 2021-2022 budget ($104,596,962 vs $102,320,176) and result in a proposed tax levy increase of 2.38%, which is at the allowable tax levy cap.

Over the past 14 years the average tax levy increase has been 2.01% while the average annual increase in budgeted expenses has been 1.90%.

The district administration’s budget goals employ a best practices approach to address the current post-pandemic academic and social-emotional needs of the students. This approach builds on the existing strong foundation in the curriculum as well as ongoing investment in facilities while at the same time supporting a culture of high expectations and growth opportunities for all students.

Although the budget and tax levy increases for the 2022-2023 school year are higher than in recent years, they remain in line with historical trends while addressing several challenges that have arisen over the past few years, many of which are unprecedented and beyond the control of the school administration. These challenges include a significant increase in health insurance premiums of 12.7%; the impact of rising inflation on transportation, related fuel and utility bills; several contractual obligations such as compensation and benefits; increased cyber-security investments; as well as incremental mandated services for students with special needs.

The proposed budget does all this within the tax levy cap of 2.38% while maintaining all existing academic programs, and while enhancing and expanding student learning opportunities. Some of the new and re-introduced course offerings include: Advanced Broadcast Journalism, Intermediate Algebra, Advanced Math Research and Music Production/Songwriting.

In addition to voting on the proposed budget, the Manhasset community is being asked to vote on the use of existing reserve funds for five specific capital projects that include an updated playground at Shelter Rock Elementary School; completion of necessary asphalt, water main and sidewalk replacement at the secondary school initiated in summer 2021; replacement of the secondary school northwest field turf; and replacement of the infield turf along with the creation of a multi-use field at the secondary school softball field for district and community use. This latter project includes lighting funded by several community groups, highlighting the appeal of the project to the broader Manhasset community. Importantly, while approval of the proposition is necessary for the pursuit of these projects, funding for these projects is already on hand and does not affect the proposed budget nor does it affect the tax levy.

As in previous years, we note with appreciation the transparency of the budget process, the wealth of financial information made available by the Administration and its responsiveness to CACF inquiries.

As a result of this productive and transparent communication, the CACF members believe that the District is now well-positioned financially for the coming year. The Manhasset Public School District was recently ranked #215 among U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 “Best High Schools” report that considered 18,000 public high schools across the nation. We commend the Board for all of its efforts on behalf of our children and the community.

The members of the CACF unanimously support the proposed budget for the next school year.

Dimitri Nikas, Chair
Scott Carroll
Sophie Christman, Ph. D.
Keith Devito
Barbara Guidi
Ann Lynch
Jane Russell