West Hempstead school officials warn rising transportation, insurance costs could force heavier use of reserves
March 13, 2024 | WEST HEMPSTEAD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Mr. Phillips opened the West Hempstead Union Free School District Board of Education budget hearing with an overview of structural budget categories and a timeline for the 2024-25 process, saying the district will meet again if necessary and that the budget vote is scheduled for May 21 in the secondary school.
The presentation identified instruction as the largest part of the budget but singled out two major cost drivers for 2024-25: medical insurance and transportation. "Medical insurance is projected to increase by over $1,200,000," Mr. Phillips said, and "transportation is also projected to increase by greater than $1,200,000." He added that West Hempstead transports more than 1,200 students to more than 100 Long Island schools and that transportation expenses have more than doubled over the past decade, from about $3.8 million in 2015-16 to a projected $9.2 million for 2024-25.
Mr. Phillips said revenue assumptions currently rely on the governor's executive budget proposal, which lists state aid to the district at $17,000,000, but cautioned that "we are currently waiting for the legislative branch to adopt the budget." He detailed the executive proposal's line items, citing an estimated 5.3% increase in foundation aid, an 18% decrease in building aid, a 37% increase in excess cost aid for students with services above a threshold, and a net state-aid change the presentation summarized as approximately a 2.16% increase under the governor's plan.
On reserves and fund balance, Mr. Phillips walked the board through state rules and the district's history of reserve use. He said the district is proposing $2,205,000 in reserve use for 2024-25 and noted a possible appropriation of $3,000,000 from unassigned fund balance for the coming year. "Increased use of reserves and fund balance is not sustainable," he said, but added that if expenditures exceed revenues "there's only one way to fill that, and that's using reserves and fund balance."
Board members pressed for clarity on the per-student spending calculation used in the slides. One board member asked whether the district's ranking as "about fourth lowest in Nassau County" included all students in the community; Mr. Phillips replied that his calculation uses the total resident student population because the district provides transportation, special-education services and health services to many students who do not attend district schools and the district pays for those services (he cited about $5.28 million in transportation costs for non-attending students).
The presentation also addressed facility revenue and leases: Mr. Phillips said Gersh Academy rents the Marion Delaney building and that lease collections are approximately $600,000, with the lessee covering roughly $100,000 in utilities.
Mr. Phillips closed by urging patience until final state aid numbers are available and saying the district will update the board, community and stakeholders as new figures arrive.
What happens next: the administration said it will update the board when the Legislature finalizes the state budget and will post presentation materials online. The budget vote remains scheduled for May 21; no formal board vote on a final budget was recorded at this hearing.
The presentation identified instruction as the largest part of the budget but singled out two major cost drivers for 2024-25: medical insurance and transportation. "Medical insurance is projected to increase by over $1,200,000," Mr. Phillips said, and "transportation is also projected to increase by greater than $1,200,000." He added that West Hempstead transports more than 1,200 students to more than 100 Long Island schools and that transportation expenses have more than doubled over the past decade, from about $3.8 million in 2015-16 to a projected $9.2 million for 2024-25.
Mr. Phillips said revenue assumptions currently rely on the governor's executive budget proposal, which lists state aid to the district at $17,000,000, but cautioned that "we are currently waiting for the legislative branch to adopt the budget." He detailed the executive proposal's line items, citing an estimated 5.3% increase in foundation aid, an 18% decrease in building aid, a 37% increase in excess cost aid for students with services above a threshold, and a net state-aid change the presentation summarized as approximately a 2.16% increase under the governor's plan.
On reserves and fund balance, Mr. Phillips walked the board through state rules and the district's history of reserve use. He said the district is proposing $2,205,000 in reserve use for 2024-25 and noted a possible appropriation of $3,000,000 from unassigned fund balance for the coming year. "Increased use of reserves and fund balance is not sustainable," he said, but added that if expenditures exceed revenues "there's only one way to fill that, and that's using reserves and fund balance."
Board members pressed for clarity on the per-student spending calculation used in the slides. One board member asked whether the district's ranking as "about fourth lowest in Nassau County" included all students in the community; Mr. Phillips replied that his calculation uses the total resident student population because the district provides transportation, special-education services and health services to many students who do not attend district schools and the district pays for those services (he cited about $5.28 million in transportation costs for non-attending students).
The presentation also addressed facility revenue and leases: Mr. Phillips said Gersh Academy rents the Marion Delaney building and that lease collections are approximately $600,000, with the lessee covering roughly $100,000 in utilities.
Mr. Phillips closed by urging patience until final state aid numbers are available and saying the district will update the board, community and stakeholders as new figures arrive.
What happens next: the administration said it will update the board when the Legislature finalizes the state budget and will post presentation materials online. The budget vote remains scheduled for May 21; no formal board vote on a final budget was recorded at this hearing.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
