Did You Know the Commack School District plans to spend more than $2.3 million of funds set aside in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 budgets to repair and upgrade school facilities and fields this year? (Please note that the 2016-17 tax cap was 0.95% and generated $1 million within the budget. The 2017-18 tax cap was 1.9%+/- and generated just over $2.6 million). The priorities include repairs and upgrades for projects designed to insure the safety and security of students, staff, and residents. Such projects include, but are not limited to, curb, sidewalk, and asphalt replacements, bleacher replacement, bathroom renovations, fire safety upgrades, and gym floor replacement. The community should also be aware that the facilities department has a detailed, prioritized list of projects to be completed with a timeline that aligns with the availability of funds.
Further, the District recently completed a $19 million energy-performance upgrade. In short, utilizing a program introduced to the District by Dr. James, the Commack School District has been involved in a State-approved, energy-savings project that achieved the following:
- Generated $19 million in new lights and equipment at no additional cost to taxpayers - All new equipment is paid for with energy-savings money - guaranteed;
- Generated $800,000 in LIPA rebates – This money was used in its entirety to keep tax increases low; and
- The project will generate additional savings of approximately $600,000 a year for the life of the project (18 years) and generate additional State aid – All of this money will be used to keep Commack’s tax increases low and maintain our quality educational programs.
As a result of this energy-performance upgrade, Commack Schools now have:
- Solar panels on four (4) schools;
- Energy efficient lights district-wide;
- A co-generation plant at the Middle School;
- New boilers, windows, doors, and roofs on many schools that were in need; and
- Much, much more.
Eight Commack District buildings received the EPA Energy Star label making Commack the most awarded district on Long Island!
Further, we are about to embark on another such contract in the amount of $15 million - at no additional cost to local taxpayers. More information to come on the scope of this project as the school year progresses.
Simultaneously, and with very limited funds from tax increases, the District continues to provide students with access to its elementary enrichment programming, a unique set of learning opportunities that do not exist in other districts, and continue to maintain some of the smallest class sizes on Long Island. Additionally, the District added new and innovative programs for students including, but not limited to, Movement and the Arts, state-of-the-art engineering courses at the secondary schools, and other advanced programs at the High School. Further, the High School continues to offer advanced, college-level, project-based programming that is second to none and aims to prepare all students for their next level of learning.
For more information on how the BOE and District engages in long-term fiscal planning to maintain low tax-levy increases, addresses facility needs, and continues to grow the finest schools on Long Island, please attend our Board of Education goals development workshop on September 28 at 8 p.m. at the Hubbs Administration Center. Community residents can also attend our very informative "State of the District" presentations where detailed information is presented according to the schedule below.
State of the District & Future Presentations Schedule
September 14, 2017: Public Board of Education Meeting 8 p.m. at the Hubbs Administration Center
· Presentation on Proposed Items and Related Cost Savings Included in Next Energy Performance Project ($17 million in additional upgrades at no additional cost to taxpayers)
September 28, 2017: at 8 p.m. in the Hubbs Administration Center: Board of Education Goals Development Workshop (open to the public and simulcast)
· Topics to include: Budget and Finance; Multi-Year Financial Management; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Goals (adjusting standards, re-writing curriculum, how we think about homework, social-emotional learning, high school course design, athletics and more); Teacher Professional Development to Support Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment goals; Facilities and Maintenance; and more.
October 19, 2017: Public Board of Education Meeting 7:30 p.m. at the High School
· Board of Education Recognition Celebration
· BOE Reviews and Formally Adopts Goals;
· State of the District Presentation:
o Current Fiscal Condition of the District
o State of Buildings and Grounds including short and long term plans to address repairs and upgrades
November 9, 2017: Public Board of Education Meeting and State of the District Presentation 8 p.m. at the Hubbs Administration Center
· State of the District Presentation
o Elementary and Middle School Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Programming (general education, special education, enrichment, etc.)
December 14, 2017: Public Board of Education Meeting and State of the District Presentation 8 p.m. at the Hubbs Administration Center
o High School Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Programming (general education, special education, electives, etc.)
o Extra-Curricular Programming and Athletics
January 11, 2018: Public Board of Education Meeting and State of the District Presentation 8 p.m. at the Hubbs Administration Center
· State of the District Presentation
o Community Engagement and Outreach
o Technology and Security
o Advocacy Update
Other Important Meetings:
March 8, 2018: Budget Development Workshop #1
March 15, 2018: Budget Development Workshop #2
March 22, 2018: Informal Budget Hearing
April 12, 2018: BOE Formally Adopts Budget
May 3, 2018: Legally Required Budget Hearing
May 15, 2018: Budget Vote and Trustee Election