The Budget Development Process
The Deer Park School District budget development process for the next school year 2015-2016 begins in October and culminates with a public referendum held the third Tuesday in May.
October:
The budget development process begins when the department supervisors and building principals receive their budget packets. Each principal and supervisor is responsible for determining his/her respective school or departments’ needs.
December:
Central office administrators (The Superintendent, Asst. Superintendents, etc.) meet with principals to discuss their budget requests. Additionally, all new staffing needs and programmatic needs in relation to the curriculum are also discussed.
February-April:
Proposed budgets for every area are analyzed line by line by the Board of Education. Draft budgets are developed. Discussions take place at public meetings and public budget workshops. These meetings are advertised and the public is invited to participate and ask questions (see schedule of budget workshops below). After thorough discussion, the proposed budget is adopted by the Board of Education in April. Additional public meetings are held and all budget questions raised by the public are answered.
May:
A budget hearing is held. This is a forum that once again provides residents with an opportunity to ask questions regarding the proposed budget. This is typically the last public meeting held specifically for the purpose of educating the community on the proposed budget. A line-by-line printout of the proposed budget is available at the hearing, as well as an informative newsletter for residents to use as a guide for learning about the budget. This newsletter is also mailed to every Deer Park School District resident. Also, as per State law, no later than 6 days prior to the election, a postcard is mailed after the public hearing providing only budget and tax impact information, in addition to basic voting information.
The proposed budget printout is available for viewing at the Deer Park Public library, on-line via the district website, at each of the main offices of the school district and can be obtained by contacting the Deer Park Schools District Clerk, located at 1881 Deer Park Road (next to JFK Intermediate School) or call (631) 274-4013.
A budget for the next school year is not official until approved by the community in a public vote. If the community does not pass the budget in May, the Board of Education and District can conduct a second vote (re-vote) the third Tuesday in June. The District is not obligated to conduct a second vote. If a second vote is held, the District has the option to put forth the same budget or can opt to reduce the proposed budget. Should the district opt not to hold a re-vote, or if a budget is defeated in a re-vote scenario, the district must operate on a contingency (austerity) budget.
This year, the vote for the proposed 2015-2016 school year budget will be held on Tuesday,
May 19, 2015 at Deer Park High School. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. in the auditorium, enter through the main lobby.
The budget will be discussed at the following Work Session/Open Meetings:
February 24 - 8:00 pm, D.O. (Intro to Budget)
March 10 - 7:30 pm, D.O.
March 17 - 7:30 pm, D.O.
March 24 - 8:00 pm, D.O.
March 31 – 7:30 pm, DO
April 14 - 7:30 pm, D.O.
April 21 - 7:30 pm, D.O. Adopt Budget
April 28 - 7:30 pm, D.O.
May 12 – 7:30 pm, DO Public Hearing