HCSD Budget Update: Layoffs Outlined, Tax Increase Drops to 3.18%

The tax rate increase for the Harrison Central School District's proposed 2011-12 budget is now 3.18 percent, a slight reduction from the accepted by the board of education earlier this month, school administrators said Monday.

The spending plan still totals $103.1 million for next year, but as assessments from homes in bordering Rye and North Castle that overlap into the Harrison School District are tallied there is typically a slight change in the proposed tax rate. Nothing has changed as far as the budget itself.

A slight change in the tax rate is still possible before the figures are finalized in May, but a significant change isn't likely, said Harrison Assistant Superintendent for Business Robert Salierno.

School administrators also released more details regarding staff reductions. Twenty-four total full and part-time positions will be eliminated and are expected to account for approximately $1 million in savings next year. 

Cuts include the elimination of 10 full-time teaching positions — three through layoffs — with seven being vacated through retirement and leaving empty positions unfilled. Ten teacher's assistants will be laid off, administrators said.

One part-time teaching position will also be eliminated as well as a one-year leave replacement position that expired this year. Two full-time custodial workers will be laid off.

Despite the cuts in staffing the district plans to cap class sizes at 22, a goal mentioned when the budget was originally approved by the board earlier this month.

The budget will be officially presented on May 4 and will go to a public vote May 17.