Today, Port Jeff School District's Sup't. for Business Sean Leister, and District Sup't. of Schools Dr. Paul Casciano presented and explained the 2017-18 School Year Budget. The Budget Final Draft calls for a total of $42.9 million, including 2 propositions asking the public for permission to spend money the District already possesses. With or without use of the Capital Reserve, District residents can expect a 2.35% Estimated Tax Levy Increase, which is within the State's cap for allowable increases. The main drivers of the increase are the collective bargaining agreements (increases in personnel salaries, medical insurance costs, and pensions), expected increases in costs of utility, transportation, BOCES Services and the like), capital repairs & maintenance costs (including high school roof replacement, high school electrical upgrades, track resurfacing, and facade repairs - ie., loose bricks & masonry- at both the high school and middle school buildings), and the hiring of 2 additional full time employees. The District Reserves are the monies left over from previously expected needs (ie., due to staff retirements, contract settlements below budget, legislative grants, bond refunding, elimination of one time projects, etc.) . An expansion of the In-House Secondary Special Education Program is expected to save the District money otherwise spent on BOCES costs. Explanations were provided regarding the differences between using the available Capital Reserve and not using the Capital Reserve. Sean noted, too, that 74% of the District's expenses go for salaries and employee benefits, and 2% of expenses are controllable (not contractual requirements)- like for supplies. He reminded us that while our proposed State Aid has increased a bit, it makes up only a small percentage of the total budget. Keeping in mind the prospect of a PSEG/LIPA tax payment decrease (perhaps huge) in the near future, this year's school budget is intended to make the best use of monies already available for program and staff enhancements, repairs, and replacements. Expectations of a school population increase once the 2 new village apartment projects are completed were also taken into consideration in drafting this budget. Upon answering our questions, Sean and Paul reminded District residents that they can vote on the proposed budget on Tuesday, May 16th, from 6 AM to 9 PM in the high school cafeteria.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS:There's now $596 in the pot waiting to be won- with only 23 cards left to draw from- and the Ace of Spades is still among them ( but a Joker remains, as well). It could be YOU who wins the pot. Next opportunity: our 5/9 luncheon at Cafe Spiga, when we will honor another Most Motivated Student of the Month. THIS IS ALSO AN OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTIONDAY!This Saturday, May 6th , is the date of our upcoming Stuff-A-Van Event, 10 AM-1 PM. Thank you, volunteers who have agreed to help out! This is also the date (5/6) of Mather's Walk for Hope. Nancy is hoping you'll volunteer to help at this event, too. Ed will be leaving us soon- retiring to Florida. Join us on Monday, May 8th , 5:30-7:30 PM, at Cafe Spiga to celebrate with him. Spouses/significant others are welcome to attend, as well. Today, Bill Curry handed out packets of RAFFLE TICKETS to members present.If you were not present, Bill will present you with your tickets when he next sees you. (Don't hide!) Remember, each individual ticket still costs $40, but we can also sell 3 for $100, 7 for $200, and 15 for $400. The money we earn from sold tickets will fund the year's activities & events and our ongoing charitable giving. ***SAVE THIS DATE: *SEPTEMBER 14th = OUR ANNUAL PAST PRESIDENTS DINNER & RAFFLE DRAWING (& 80th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLUB's FOUNDING).This auspicious event will take place at Savino's Hideaway, corner of North Country & Pipe Stave Hollow Roads in Mt. Sinai. More info will be forthcoming soon. The Gift of Life Dinner Dance will take place on May 10th, 6:30-10:30 PM, at The Timber Pointe Mansion (398 Great River Rd.) in Great River . Our club will have a full table at the event. Ed is holding the tickets. On May 17th, the District will hold its Centennial Celebration at Whitby Castle in Rye, NY. Let's not forget that we will have our Annual Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Spring Clean Up on May 21st, and will be joined by neighboring Rotary and Interact Clubs as well as, perhaps, by a contingent of youth from Comsewogue HS. Our chores will include painting and preparing picnic tables and mattresses for summer use. Please let Dennis know if you can volunteer at this event. Dennis will send out an email with more info as we get closer to the date. He reports that a check has been given to the Camp to reimburse what they paid for the super leaf blower/collector purchase. Rocky Point, Middle Island, and our club have contributed to the cost of the new equipment, and a number of our officers will pursue contributions from other clubs, too. Pat & Al have generously offered to cover the remaining cost, once other contributions have been collected. You are invited to attend the 2nd Annual Habitat Suffolk Builders' Breakfast (it's free!) on Thursday, May 25th at The StoneBridge Club in Smithtown. Contact Deb for more info. We've been invited, also, to the installation of incoming DG Wendy Walsh (Seatuck Cove) at the Rock Hill Country Club on 6/3. The cost? $75 p/p. Our Club will participate in our annual Habitat Build on Friday, June 9th. The cost will be $50 per member, with the club matching that amount (It's tax deductible!). Bring family & friends (older than 16).Let Debbie know of your interest.There is a tentative possibility for us to join Rocky Point Rotary for a New Officer Installation Dinner on Tuesday, June 20th- at Savino's Hideaway. The new DG has offered to attend and perform the inductions. The cost will be $50 p/p including tax & tip. Spouses/significant others are welcome. More soon... Tom read a Thank You Note from the Woodhaven Center of Care for the volunteers who have already brightened some days for the residents of the adult home. More volunteering there is desired and welcome. Contact Tom, Sal, Linda, or Samantha for dates & activities. Dennis noted that 6 youngsters (3 each from PJ and Mt. Sinai High Schools) graduated from RYLA training last week. Bravo!
***Please check out our page on Face Book- and Like Us.
If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.
***The following is a list of donation "assignments" for members' once-a-month donations via the Club to the Open Cupboard:
Betts, Judi: Toilet Paper
Bossert, Ken: Shampoo/Conditioner
Brennan, Dennis: Canned Fruit
Brennan, Sharon: Spaghetti Sauce
Berner, Cynthia: Rice
Curry, Bill: Apple Juice
Dinunzio, Ed: Diapers
Engelhardt, Debbie: Juice Boxes
Gautam, Archana: Baby Wipes
Hanson, Susan: Baby Formula
Hohler, Yvette: Beans
Jaeger, Bill: Canned Vegetables
Janhsen, Karl: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
Jurasits, Erika: Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Kopcienski, Al Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Lund, Amy: Canned Chicken
Murray, Kevin: Tuna
Rhatigan, Jim: Diapers
Sabo, Pat: Beans
Sceiford, Michael: Grape Juice Boxes
Vigliante, Paul: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
***Check the list for your name and assigned item. (If you are not listed, you may donate any listed item. Corporate members are encouraged to donate individually. If you would like to be listed with a specific item, contact Debbie and specify your item of choice.)
***Bring contributions to the Heritage Diner on the 2nd Tuesday of the month or give to another Club member who will be attending.
*** If you would like to be reimbursed, bring receipt(s) to the meeting.
...our May Anniversary Celebrators: on May 6th, ERICA JURASITS; on May 9th, LISA MULVEY; on May 14th,ARCHANA GAUTAM; on May 25th, PAT SABO; and on May 27th, BOB HUTTEMEYER.
