Simon Proposes Furlough Options to the Board

proposed three options to the Board of Education that could potentially save the district upwards of $1.2 million, reinstate teacher positions and lower the tax rate increase West Islip residents are facing. 

At the district's fourth budget worksession Thursday night at West Islip High School, Simon introduced the idea of furloughs, which, if passed by the board of education, would ultimately eliminate up to four work days, allowing the district to save on salaries. 

"The district calendar has 185 days, while the state minimum for being is session is 180 days," he said, noting the practicality of the idea. 

A further look into Simon’s proposals:   

• Option 1: To leave the budget as it is proposed.  The budget would be set for $107,456,877, which combined with the restoration of state aid ($271,920), would bring the tax rate to 8.19 percent.  .
• Option 2: Consider using furlough approach, meaning to close all schools within the district for one full day, without paying any employee.  Simon said each day a furlough would save taxpayers $313,117, thus decreasing the tax rate.  This option would allow the district to restore four elementary positions from the current adopted budget. 
• Option 3: Impose one to four days of furloughs.  Simon said this approach could “restore some of the most critical cuts as well as reduce the tax rate.” Simon said he would recommend three days of furloughs for all employees next year. 

He pointed out that in addition to the first day of furlough savings, a second day would give the district the option of keeping the middle schools at a nine period day, which would add back the 3.8 teachers eliminated in the current draft budget.  The savings in a third furlough day could be used to reduce the budget increase to 2.92 percent and lower the tax rate to 7.73 percent.  Additional cost savings would be realized with a fourth furlough day.

“This budget proposed is approximately a half-million dollars more than our contingent budget would be,” Simon said.

Other notes from the worksession:

• Simon didn't have days set for the furloughs, but did say he'll look into which have the least school attendance.  He mentioned he'd look into the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Monday following Christmas vacation, and a day in April. 
• All board members in attendance at the meeting said they were in favor of four furlough days, which would save the district approximately $1,252,468 million. 
• Simon also announced that the district will be receiving an additional $271,920 in state aid.  But he said that aid impacts only the revenue side of the budget.
• Wendy Duffy, Assistant Superintendent for Business, presented the contigency budget to the board which would be for $106,611,925.