Friday, May 28, 2010

West Hempstead Budget Vote

Since the original budget proposal was rejected on May 18th, more than $1.65 million has been cut from the original budget proposal. These reductions cuts spanned all areas of the school district operation including:
-Academic, Athletic and Co-curricular activities
-Administrative, Faculty and Support personnel
-Supply and Equipment Allocations

The revised budget proposal brings a budget to budget increase of 0.54% (down from 3.69%), and a projected tax levy increase of 4.9% (down from 9.4%).

Remember to Vote on June 15th. It's Important!
Look for more budget news at www.whufsd.com
Have questions? Email votejune15@whufsd.com.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

West Hempstead School Budget Update

A resident has requested we post the most recent Fiscal Accountability Supplement for West Hempstead at www.whufsd.com. In addition, we have posted West Hempstead’s most recent District Report Card. Both of these documents are from the New York State Department of Education website. In addition, copies had previously been made available for review by the public since May 4th as an attachment to the 2010-2011 Proposed Budget in all public school Main Offices, in the office of the District Clerk and at the West Hempstead Public Library.

Here are direct links to the documents:

Fiscal Accountability Supplement

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/reportcard/2009/supplement/280227030000.pdf

New York State District Report Card

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/District.do?year=2009&county=NASSAU&district=280227030000


Make a Commitment to Education
Remember to Vote on May 18th. It's Important!
Look for more budget news at www.whufsd.com
Have questions? Email them to votemay18@whufsd.com

Friday, April 30, 2010

United States Census Phase ll

United States Census Bureau

May 1st, The Census Bureau is beginning phase 2 of the Census taking. With less then half of New York State turning in their census forms, census workers will be visiting neighborhoods to count the people. To date only 44% of the people living in New York State have responded meaning billions of dollars in aid could be lost funding for roads and bridges and other public works projects, emergency services, hospitals and the number of Senior Centers. , Also the number of representatives awarded to NY State would shrink in the U.S. House of Representatives.

If a census worker comes to your door they will show you an ID Badge, hand you an information sheet and ask you a few simple questions. Your answers are confidential and protected by law. All US Census Bureau employees have taken an oath and are subject to a jail term, a fine or both if they disclose ANY information that could identify you or your household. Your answers are used for statistical purposes, and no other purpose. As allowed by law, your census data becomes public after 72 years. This information can be used for family history and other types of historical research.

You are required by federal law to provide the information requested. Visit the Census web site http://www.census.gov/2010census and click on “Protecting Your Answers” to learn more about their privacy policy and data protection

Who to count as of April 1st
Count all people where they live and sleep most of the time. Including babies and children, foster children, roommates, boarders, and people staying with you who have no permanent place to live. Do not include college students living away at school, Armed Forces personnel who live away, people in nursing homes, a mental hospital, jail, prison, or detention facility.

Participation isn’t just important it’s mandatory.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

GS USA National Agenda Meeting

Taking Action for Girls Be Part of the Conversation
Who: Girls (12 and up), parents, volunteers, community members
When: Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Where: Girl Scouts of Nassau County
110 Ring Road West, Garden City
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
RSVP: aksakc@gsnc.org
Girl Scouts of the USA has set a national agenda to address the girl issues of bullying and cyberbullying, disordered eating, and unhealthy media images. Come and be part of our work as we turn people into power, advocate for girls, and make the world a better place.
Questions? Carole Aksak, Critical Issues Coordinator, 516.282.7521.
Visit: www.gsnc.org/criticalissues/events.asp

Monday, April 26, 2010

West Hempstead School Budget Information

On May 18th, the residents of West Hempstead will be asked to go to the polls and cast their vote on the proposed 2010-2011 school budget. The economic climate is not in West Hempstead’s favor. While in recent year’s the Board of Education has been able to keep tax levy increases among the lowest on Long Island, including a year when the tax levy actually went down, this year West Hempstead’s tax levy increase is likely to be among the highest on Long Island.

As of today, Albany has still not adopted a budget. Any additional state aid that comes from Albany would be used to decrease the 2010-2011 tax levy.

On May 18th, residents are casting their vote on the proposed budget that supports the education of our children. The attached document outlines what programs and services the proposed budget provides. Likewise, it outlines what is at stake.

Make a Commitment to Education
Remember to Vote on May 18th. It's Important!
Look for more budget news at www.whufsd.com
Have questions? Email them to votemay18@whufsd.com

Thursday, April 22, 2010

West Hempstead Board of Education Adopts Budget

On Tuesday, April 20th, the West Hempstead Board of Education adopted the proposed 2010-2011 School Budget. The budget supports all current educational programs and continues to maintain facilities with a budgetary increase of 3.69% over the present 2009-2010 school budget. As you recall, the 2009-2010 school budget presented a 0% increase over the previous year. Therefore, West Hempstead’s two year average increase is 1.85%.



The revenue side of the budget continues to be a struggle during these tough economic times. The combination of state aid cuts, reduced revenue from Island Park and lack of fund balance result in a revenue loss of over $1.8 million since July 2009. In addition, payments to the Teacher Retirement System, the Employee Retirement System and the New York State Health Insurance Plan have increased this expense area by almost $1.2 million. Due to circumstances beyond the control of West Hempstead, the 2010-2011 tax levy was already going to increase by 7.6%.



Through frugal budgeting and careful decision making, the Board of Education has been able to find a way to support our children and fund obligations to its employees while adding an additional 1.8% to the tax levy that was already a stark reality at the beginning of the budget process. While the projected 2010-2011 tax levy of 9.4% is admittedly very high, we ask that you consider the following:



Ø Including the projected 2010-2011 tax levy, the five-year annual average increase in the tax levy for West Hempstead is 2.74%.

Ø At the time of the budget adoption, New York State had yet to adopt a budget that finalized state aid to West Hempstead. Any additional aid provided by the 2010-2011 state budget will be used to decrease the tax levy when it is set in July.

Ø Since the beginning of the budget process, almost $1 million in expenditures has been cut from the proposal. These cuts have been made with the philosophy that we need to continue to help our children grow even when we struggle financially. Therefore, while some class sizes may be slightly higher, no programs have been cut.

Ø Before and after school activities and programs such as music and art help our children to become better educated and more cultured adults. They also give our children something to do during non-school hours at a relatively low price tag. These activities and programs have been maintained.

Ø The school district and education as our children know it would look vastly different with further cuts to the proposed budget. Someday, our children will be parents. They will look to the school to help their children learn, grow and mature just as our schools are doing today. We are worried that further cuts would severely undermine our ability to provide the support our children deserve.



We remind you to come to the polls on Tuesday, May 18th between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the West Hempstead Middle School Gym. We ask you to consider that while times are hard for all of us who are adults; it is incumbent upon us to protect our children.



Make a Commitment to Education

Remember to Vote on May 18th. It’s important!

6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. in West Hempstead MS Gymnasium



Look for more West Hempstead UFSD school budget news at www.whufsd.com.

Have questions about the proposed budget? Email them to votemay18@whufsd.com.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Donald Clavin Announces Convenient Payment Options

April 7, 2010
Receiver of Taxes Donald Clavin reminds residents to take advantage of the convenient payment options offered by his office as the deadline for paying the second half 2009-2010 school tax approaches. Taxpayers who prefer to make payments in person can avail themselves of satellite offices, the mobile tax office and the EZ-Pay drive thru payment window located behind the Town Receiver's office in Hempstead. In addition, tax bills can be paid by credit card or e-check, online or via telephone. Tax payments received or postmarked by May 10 will be penalty-free.

"Taxpayers who prefer to pay their taxes in person from the comfort of their car may choose to utilize the EZ-Pay drive thru payment window located behind the tax office at 200 North Franklin Street," said Clavin. "My office also accepts electronic payments via e-check and credit card."

Office hours at the main tax office located at 200 North Franklin Street in Hempstead will be extended during peak collection times. Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. The fully staffed main office accepts all forms of payment and can provide taxpayers with assistance regarding account inquiries.

Satellite offices established at Rock Hall Museum (located at 199 Broadway in Lawrence) and Levittown Hall (located at 201 Levittown Parkway in Hicksville) will be open to receive tax payments (checks and money orders only) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10.

"Our mobile town hall brings town government to local neighborhoods," remarked Clavin. "This is especially convenient for residents who have limited time or ability to travel to the main tax office and desire to make their tax payments in person by check or money order." The mobile tax office will visit the following locations from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as follows:

Monday, May 3, Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick

Tuesday, May 4, Town Parking Lot O-3, Davison Avenue, Oceanside (directly across from Oceanside Library)

Thursday, May 6, Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

Friday, May 7, Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Place, Franklin Square

The E-Z Pay drive thru payment window will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. Only checks and money order payments are accepted at this facility.

Residents who would like to pay via credit card or e-check may log onto the town's website at www.TOH.LI and follow the Receiver of Taxes link to "Online Tax Payments," or call Official Payments Corporation toll-free at 1-877-306-6056. A convenience fee of 2.5% of the total tax payment will be incurred for credit card payments. A flat fee of $2 will be charged for electronic check payments. Hempstead Town receives no portion of these fees.

"I encourage residents to utilize the services designed to make the tax payment process less burdensome," concluded Clavin. "Supervisor Murray and I continue to look for innovative ways to assist residents with all of their tax payment needs."

Taxpayers should bring their entire tax bill when making payments in person. Tax stubs should not be detached from the bill. For further information visit the town's website at www.TOH.LI or contact the Office of Receiver of Taxes at (516) 538-1500.