1. The Citizens Budget Advisory Committee willserve the Blind Brook-Rye Board of Education in anadvisory capacity by recommending ways toimprove the district budget, the budget process,and its presentation to the community. Blind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 1

2. Agenda Background Recommendations Short Term 2011-2012 Long Term Discussion Blind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 2 3. How can we help the BOE develop an affordable short & long term financial plan that sustains the excellence of our School District?CostExcellence CBAC FocusBlind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/20113 4. New York State Comptrollers report - 3/15/2011School districts financial state could worsen Many school districts have taken steps to alignspending with todays economic realities. Butits imperative that every school district look atways to cut costs and plan strategies that helpthem deal with fiscal stress, New Yorks fiscal climate will take time toimprove Raising taxes should be a last resortNYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoliBlind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 4 5. By JOSEPH SPECTOR Albany Bureau December 7, 2010Public teacher pension costs to skyrocket Taxpayer contributions to fund the states teacherretirement system are set to explode, with contributions setto double over the next five years. The conservative Empire Center For NYS Policy warns in thereport that the New York State Teachers Retirement Systemcould more than quadruple by the 2015-16 school year. The report claims it is equivalent alone to an annualproperty tax hike of 3.5 percent a year.Blind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 5 6. Recommendations Short-term Evaluate staffing levels and make reductions where possible Freeze creation of new positions Investigate sharing additional services with other districts Consolidate extra-curricular clubs where feasibleo Fund & expand community & coordinated advocacy for NYSto reduce unfunded mandatesBlind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/20116 7. Comparison Superintendents Budgetsnext year 2011-2012Blind Brook Bronxville EdgemontRye NeckExpenditure$39.9m$44.4m$50.5m$35.8mBtoB % chg. 1.6% 1.1% 4.0%2.8%$ chg.$615K $480K$1,951K $973KTax Rate1.95%1.5% 4.8%3.63% % chg.# Students1,5521,5401,916 1,506$/ Student $25,700 $28,831 $26,357 $23,807 Blind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/20117 8. Recommendations Short-term Proposed $50K Repair Reserve contributionto fund future athletic field repair No Proposed $300K contingency expense No Carry forward unappropriated Rainy Day Fund $1.55m Yes / maintain as budgeted Blind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 8 9. Given the state of the economy and demographics of the community.How can we adjust our long term financial plan to mitigate tax increases while supporting our nationally recognized program ? Spending Benefits Medical Pensions Salaries Unfunded Mandates FacilitiesRevenue Property Taxes Values down Certiorari? NYS Aid cuts? Surplus? Blind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 9 10. Recommendations Long-termContracts - Salary1. Cap annual salary increases2. No guaranteed increases COLA3. Elimination or greater spacing of Steps longevity4. Decrease number and value of stipends5. Evaluate criteria for # of paid chaperones6. Cap # stipends per teacher double-dippingBlind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 10 11. Recommendations Long-termContracts - Benefits1. Welfare Fund dental & vision benefits Make it employee funded2. Employee contributions for Health Ins. Coverage Maintain 50 /50 contribution for future increases3. Increase tuition fees for children of faculty & staff4. Reduce paid days off - sick/personal/vacation days Blind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 11 12. Recommendations Long-termGeneral1. Investigate the cost/benefit of an 8 Vs. 9 period day2. Eliminate Physical Ed. requirement for HS students that participate in school sponsored sports3. Investigate single course offerings every other year4. Consider independent evaluations of key programs such as special ed. to insure cost effectivenessBlind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 12 13. Blind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 13 14. DiscussionBlind Brook BOE by its CBAC 3/21/2011 14