Finance and Operations
Contact Information:
Michael I. DeVito, Esq.
Chief Operating Officer
516-897-2090 MDevito@lbeach.org
Steve Lahey
Director of Facilities and Operations
516-897-2120 SLahey@lbeach.org
Steven Kamlet
Director of Food Services
516-897-2097 SKamlet@lbeach.org
Robert Sambo
Supervisor of Transportation
516-897-2132 RSambo@lbeach.org
Joyce Hanechak
Accounting Supervisor
516.897.2109 JHanechak@lbeach.org
News
Budget Advisory Committee Forming
Long Beach Public Schools seeks school district residents to serve on the district’s 2013-14 Budget Advisory Committee. The Budget Advisory Committee offers members an opportunity to provide input into the development of the 2013-14 operating budget for Long Beach Public Schools. If you are interested in participating in this committee, please contact the office of the District Clerk at 516- 897-2108 before Jan. 18.
Oct. 18 Capital Reserve Vote Q & A
Long Beach City School District residents
will have the opportunity to vote on a capital reserve initiative, which
will determine how to fund the reconstruction of an area of Long Beach
High School affected by the collapse of a suspended carport ceiling back
in April. Although the work is underway, a community referendum must
still be held to allow the Board of Education to use existing funds from
the Capital Reserve Fund.
What is the scope of this work?
Repair of the carport ceiling area, as well as general construction,
electrical, mechanical and plumbing are being performed in the immediate
vicinity of the carport area, including the main entrance, lobby, gym
entrance and locker room.
Why has the work begun already?
In the interest of the health and safety of students and staff, the
district continued with the demolition of the carport ceiling structure
to avoid another unforeseen ceiling collapse. In addition, we needed to
begin rebuilding the carport ceiling in order to protect the mechanical,
plumbing and electrical systems from the elements.
If the repairs at LBHS have already begun, what are we voting on?
The Oct. 18 vote is merely to authorize the Board to pay for the work
through the Capital Reserve Fund. By law, voters must authorize use of
this particular fund through a special referendum.
What is the Capital Reserve Fund and how does it differ from the regular school budget?
The Capital Reserve Fund is separate from the annual operating budget
and similar to a savings account. It provides the ability to set aside
monies to fund capital improvements and emergencies for which the
district might otherwise need to issue new bonds or pay for through the
annual operating budget.
Will the work associated with this Capital Reserve Fund vote increase my taxes?
No. Since the funds have already been allocated to the Capital Reserve Fund, the district does not need to raise new taxes.
What happens if voters defeat the Oct. 18 initiative?
If the initiative is defeated, the district would pay for the work
through the unencumbered fund balance, part of which is generally used
to lower projected tax rates each year.
Why is it better to pay for the work through the Capital Reserve Fund?
For all of the reasons mentioned in the previous three answers, and
because maintaining strong financial reserves, overall, contributes to
the long-term fiscal health of the school district. Furthermore,
maintaining a fund balance protects taxpayers against large spikes in
costs that may be out of the Board of Education and district’s control.
It also contributes to a solid financial rating, which allows the
district to secure favorable interest rates in the event that future
borrowing is needed.
How do we know we are getting the best price on the work?
Projects such as these are competitively bid to ensure that the best price is secured from the most responsible bidder.
How much money is currently in the Capital Reserve Fund?
There is approximately $7 million currently in the Capital Reserve Fund,
$5.6 million of which voters will be asked to authorize on Oct.18,
exclusively for the work identified on the ballot. This work is
summarized in the introduction to this Q&A and in the first answer
at the top of this page.
Was the carport structure destroyed as a result of an error on the job during the renovation of LBHS?
No. Two different engineering firms assessed the carport, which was
built in the late 1960s, and reported that it was not in full compliance
with building codes at that time (this was determined based upon the
use of certain materials to secure the grid upon which the ceiling was
constructed). Based on this, both firms determined that the carport
collapse was not a result of renovations that were being performed at
the high school.
Is the roof collapse covered by insurance?
While the district may be eligible to receive minor compensation for
ancillary damages, this work is not subject to an insurance claim. Since
the carport construction was not in compliance with the building codes,
insurance coverage is voided. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations
has expired for the district to pursue any legal action against the
original builder.
What is the location and polling hours for the Oct. 18 vote?
East School during the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Run-Off Election: June 26
After the Long Beach School District’s annual Budget Vote and Trustee Election concluded on May 15 with the two incumbent trustees, Darlene Tangney and Gina Guma, each winning 1,618 seats, the district is required by law to conduct a run-off election. The run-off election will take place on June 26 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at East School, 456 Neptune Boulevard, Long Beach, NY.
As announced earlier, Trustee Guma has decided to forgo the run-off, effectively making Trustee Tangney the de facto winner of the seat, but state law still requires that the district hold the run-off election.
Changes to the normal polling procedures have been made in order to limit the cost of the election, reducing expenses from the usual $40,515 for a regular election to only $1,825 for the special run-off election. Cost savings were limited by decreasing the polling hours, using only one polling place instead of the usual eight locations, replacing voting machines with paper ballots, and forgoing the use of BOCES Election Services. While BOCES Election Services would have made the election eligible for significant reimbursement aid, the total cost of a traditional general election would have still been significantly more than the revised format. Limiting the size of legal ads and reducing the number of election clerks used to conduct the election will result in additional savings.
“Special thanks should be given to District Clerk Carole Butler, who left no stone unturned in seeking solutions that would dramatically reduce the cost of this special election,” said Superintendent David Weiss. “Given the fact that Trustee Tangney is now running unopposed, and we are still bound by law to conduct an election, it makes perfect sense to reduce costs as much as possible for our taxpayers while still providing people with an opportunity to vote.”