BOE Recap: Line by Line Review of 2012-13 Budget

The Rockville Centre Board of Education met on Tuesday night to review the 2012-13 budget line by line. The fiscal plan is 22 pages long, and the board reviewed the first six pages. Here are the line items that board members questioned due to increases over the current school year, and the answers to why the items increased.

A 1060.403-10-9000 — Voting Machines and Printing

• Increased from $30,280 to $64,005. School officials said due to upgrades to the voting system, the district rents scanners and must buy special paper for it. District officials said they believe they must print ten percent more voting ballots than registered voters. There are 18,000 registered voters, however, only 5,500 vote in the election. The district then has to store the 13,000 unused ballots. Board Vice President Mark Masin noted that the district can only buy this equipment from a sole source contractor from the state.

A 1480.490-10-9000 — BOCES Information Services

• Increased from $0 to $40,000. The district hired a Public Information Officer who handles press for the district and its website.

A 1620.201-06-900 — Replacement Equipment

• Increased from $2,156 to 20,057. Schools officials were told this was money used to buy a water vacuum, which is used when floors are stripped and re-done.

A 1621.200-10-9000 — New Equipment

• Increased from $14,410 to $32,370. School officials were told that since the district cannot use weed killer on its three infields, it needs an infield cultivator to help keep them weed free. It costs around $10,000. Other landscaping equipment like a weed wacker is included in this budget line.

A 1621.500-10-9000 — Supplies

• Increased from $123,530 to $136,550. School board members were told that this money is used for electrical, paint, plumbing and lumber supplies. An extra $10,000 is set aside to replace equipment if it were to break during the school year.

The next 2012-13 budget meeting is Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.