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The PMHS Bands will give their annual Spring Concert on Wednesday evening, May 29, at 7:00PM in the school courtyard. Read more...

PMHS Orchestra Concert Read more...


Kdgn./New Student Reg. - More

View All BOE Meetings Live -   http://pelham.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

Like Pelham School District on Facebook: Click

New Student Registration: View

FAMILY TIME MONDAY, MAY 13!

Just two Family Times left in the school year! Mark your calendars for Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, June 11. Take the time on these evenings to spend time with your family and share a meal together. 

Family Time is a PACT- sponsored initiative aimed at raising awareness of the importance of family meals. Research shows when families share regular meals together, kids are less likely to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. 

Feel rushed to prepare dinner on your own? Make it easy and order in! Visit pelhampact.org to view take out menus from more than 15 local restaurants that support Family Time!

PACT is a community coalition encouraging youth to make healthy, safe and substance-free choices. Visit pelhampact.org for more information and like us on Facebook.

 

 


 

 

 



Thursday, May 23
Day 6
H - Pre-K Story Hour, 8:30 am, Library
MS – Orchestra Spring Concert, 7:00 pm, Aud.
Friday, May 24
Day 1
Monday, May 27
Memorial Day
Finalizing a Spending Plan for Next Year

Dear Parents and Residents:
By April 23, the Board of Education will adopt a final spending plan for next year.  The public vote is on May 21.  While no final decisions have been made at this time, Board members agreed on two goals:

  • This budget must be below the tax cap set by New York State for the Pelham Schools.
  • Maintaining favorable class size and current programs are paramount.

Up-to-date information on the budget can be viewed under District Announcements on this home page.   Click.    Information on voter registration and eligibility is included.  A School Board Candidates Debate is scheduled for Thursday, April 25 at 7:30 pm in Alumni Hall.

State Formula Sets School District Tax Cap at 4.07%

A New York State tax cap for local governments and school districts limits the increase in the tax levy to the lesser of the CPI or 2%, plus certain exclusions. These exclusions include capital expenditures (net of building aid) and pension costs. The tax cap for the Pelham Schools based on the State formula is 4.07% for this year.

Budget Reduces Staff to Offset Mandated and Contractual Increases

Employee benefits – controlled and mandated by New York State - are up $2,238, 530 next year and are one of the biggest budget drivers.  To offset increases, the budget proposal includes a net reduction of 7.4 employees.  Two elementary teaching positions were reduced based on lower than anticipated registration for kindergarten for next year and a corresponding low birth rate, a trend seen in Westchester and nationally. Funds are available if an additional section is needed due to enrollment increase. The budget also includes funding for 10 interns who are certified teachers and are assigned to classes in need of extra support.

The original budget also included a decrease in a full time psychologist and a special education teacher but these two positions are likely to be reinstated to support the addition of a new middle school program for students with special needs. These students would otherwise have to attend out-of-district programs at a cost borne by the district.

Instructional Enhancements

The budget will build on the excellence and rigor in the K-12 program through increased opportunities for enrichment, extension and remediation; implementation of recommendations of the Social Studies and Mathematics Task Forces; high quality staff development; maintaining favorable class size; and analysis and revisions of the implementation of new state mandates.    New electives in English for high school seniors and splitting the popular 9th grade science research course into two half-year courses are also on the agenda.  The latter will allow students to try the program without a commitment for the year.    The middle school will offer a 7th grade honors math program next year and the K-5 enrichment/intervention block will be enhanced.

Revenue Projections

 Although the state budget is not yet finalized, state aid projections show a slight increase.  Since 2008-9, however,  state aid as a percentage of revenue has decreased from 9.51% to the projected 7.86% for next year. Miscellaneous receipts are down by $208,608 due to a decrease in out-of-district tuitions. The Board Finance Committee recommended a $500,000 increase in appropriated fund balance and a $50,000 increase in appropriations from the Employment Retirement System to offset tax increases.

Under Consideration

In addition to the middle school special needs program, several outstanding issues must be decided by the Board, including allocation of $150,000 in the budget that was included for school security.  The Board recently heard a preliminary report based on a safety audit of the schools that was requested following the Newtown shootings in December. 

Requests were also made to reinstate a full schedule of games for modified sports to support the Middle School philosophy to provide opportunity for as much student participation as possible. Also proposed is a junior varsity hockey team and an additional $4000 for a part-time strength and conditioning coach to avert common injuries experienced by high school athletes.  Funding to support an additional day for a high school Student Assistance Counselor who works part time with students on substance prevention and abuse issues was also proposed.

Your participation in the budget process is always welcome.
                                             
Sincerely yours,

Charles T. Wilson, Ed. D.
Interim Superintendent

Did You Know? -  
National Geography Bee Semi Finalist
Noah Hellum, 7th grader at PMHS, was the top performer in the 7th grade and scored in the top 100 of students from NYS, qualifying as a semi finalist in the NY State Geography Bee.

Forensics (Speech) Winners
Sara Kenney won 9th place in the NYS Forensic League Championship in the Junior Varsity Oral Interpretation of Literature. Qualifying to compete based on their performance in regional competitions were Jordan Salama, Ellie Livingstone and Kyra Tantao.

 

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