@CornwellAveES First Grade Memorial Spectacular! #RamPride #RamResolve
Yesterday, a tragic mass shooting took place in Texas, claiming the lives of 19 children, two teachers, and a family member of the shooter. As parents and educators, it is incomprehensible that we can continue to witness these atrocities in a setting where our children should feel their safest. On behalf of our entire district, we offer our condolences to the families of Robb Elementary School and offer our support to the entire community of Uvalde during this time.
We understand that many within our school community – especially our younger students – may have difficulty processing what has happened as they may see media reports or hear about the tragedy. But, as always, our teachers and counseling staff are here for our students. We will support them in whatever way they need, taking the time to listen and offering the social and emotional care they need.
Be well, healthy, and safe.
Scenes from the @WH_HighSchool Spring Concert. #RamPride #RamResolve
This is a reminder that family STEAM Night returns in person tomorrow night from 6-8 PM @WH_MSRams and @WH_HighSchool. #RamPride #RamResolve
@WHChestnut Kindergarten Orientation is going on now. Have you registered? #RamPride #RamResolve
Coffee and Conversation will be canceled this evening and rescheduled.
Incredible artwork from students throughout the district were on display at
@wh_highschool during yesterday's Art Show! #RamPride #RamFam
@WHHWashington Spring Concert. Packed house! #RamPride #RamResolve
The real work of learning continues. @CornwellAveES #RamPride #RamResolve
@WH_MSRams concert is producing those sweet sounds! #RamPride #RamResolve
Budget & Trustee Vote - TODAY
Polls open at 7 am and close at 9 pm.
MS Gymnasium
Do Not Forget - Budget & Trustee Vote tomorrow, May 17. Vote at the Middle School. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 9 PM. #RamPride #RamResolve @WHChestnutSt @CornwellAveES @WHGWashington @WH_MSRAMS @WH_HighSchool
We are aware that a flyer claiming to be from the Concerned Citizens of West Hempstead has been circulating throughout the community. This flyer contains several inaccuracies that we felt we should correct.
The flyer makes inaccurate claims about monies in “non-essential ‘rainy day funds.’” The flyer uses the term “reserve fund balance,” which is a bit misleading. While reserve funds are part of fund balance, fund balance is not the same as reserves and contains funds in addition to reserves.
The $7.6 million amount cited as “Reserve fund balance in 2011” includes amounts from funds that are not reserves or fund balance (including funds held in the cafeteria and capital projects funds).
The flyer cites growth in fund balance due to “overbudgeting.” The flyer correctly states that, since the 2010-2011 fiscal year, actual expenses have come in under budget by approximately $2.6 million each year. Looked at another way, the district spent within approximately 4% of its budget or approximately 96% of its budgeted amount on average each year during this period. This is an example of reasonable, conservative budgeting, especially when considering that the budget development process begins approximately 9 months before the start of the fiscal year for which it was created and approximately 18 months before the end of that same fiscal year. It is simply not possible to budget to the penny, as the flyer seems to want the District to do.
The flyer also claims that the amount currently “parked in reserve accounts” is “equal to half of the proposed [sic] tax levy and growing.” As was previously stated, “reserve accounts” are not the same as fund balance. The amount currently held in District reserve accounts is approximately $12 million. The proposed tax levy is approximately $48.8 million. As a result, the amount currently held in reserve accounts is approximately 25% of the proposed tax levy, not half as the flyer claims. Additionally, if we take the $17.8 million “reserve fund balance” cited in the flyer, it is only about 36% of the proposed tax levy, not half as the flyer claims.
There are also some corrections that are less significant but important nonetheless. The budget amount listed in the flyer for the 2020-2021 fiscal year is $1,000 higher than the actual voter-approved budget of $65,175,600. Additionally, based on information compiled by Newsday, the District’s 2021-22 budget-to-budget increase was the 9th highest on Long Island, not the 7th as the flyer claims. And the District’s 2021-22 tax levy increase, which was within the District’s tax cap, was the 17th highest on Long Island, not the 16th highest as the flyer claims (again, based on data compiled by Newsday). Relatively small discrepancies, but we felt they were important enough to address. It is also important to note that a school district’s tax levy will increase when the community has approved school bond construction projects because of the borrowing that the community approves to fund those projects, as the West Hempstead community did in 2016.
We encourage all residents to be educated, informed voters and to utilize actual, verified information, including the information in the Educator, which was mailed to all homes within the District, and the budget materials on the District’s website. We also encourage voters to reach out to the District if they have any further questions about the proposed budget.
Do Not Forget - Budget & Trustee Vote this Tuesday, May 17. Vote at the Middle School. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 9 PM. #RamPride #RamResolve @WHChestnutSt @CornwellAveES @WHGWashington @WH_MSRAMS @WH_HighSchool
Do Not Forget - Budget & Trustee Vote this Tuesday, May 17. Vote at the Middle School. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 9 PM. #RamPride #RamResolve
Congratulations to the newest members of @WH_MSRams National Junior Honor Society. #RamPride #RamResolve Hat tip to Ms. Parker-Hall for organizing the event.
@WH_MSRams This morning the 8th grade will view a live kidney transplant surgery at St. Barnabas Hospital courtesy of Liberty Science Center. This afternoon, the 8th grade will participate in a kidney dissection. #RamPride #RamResolve
@WHPreK_Redroom finishing a great day of learning and growing our minds and bodies with some snack! #RamPride #RamResolve
Lunch and recess on a dreary day, makes ours brighten up! @CornwellAveES #RamPride #RamResolve
Congratulations to our fabulous staff that received tenure this evening.
Joanne Capolino - TA at GW
Lisa Girolamo - TA at CA
Alyssa Lewis - TA at the MS
Ronald Bauer - Science Teacher at the MS
Kelly Sciroppo - Special Education teacher at GW
Angela Sigmon - School Counselor at the MS/HS complex
Jacqueline Zorskas - School Counselor at the HS
Bridget Karis - Director of PPS
Joel Press - Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations
Dina Reilly - Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Operations
#RamPride #RamResolve
