Teacher retirement costs rising

by Donna M. Webb
Grand Island Dispatch, August 31, 2007

The Grand Island school district will pay more than they budgeted to cover costs associated with the retirement fund for teachers.

The Teachers’ Retirement System contribution rate has increased from 8.39 percent to 8.73 percent for the 2007-2008 school year. This is applied to the entire salary of teachers, teaching assistants, and those already in the retirement system. The TRS funds are deducted from the state aid the school district receives.

Grand Island School District Superintendent Robert Christmann said that health insurance costs will potentially run more than $250,000 over what was budgeted. This is mainly because the state passed “Timothy’s Law,” which requires that all health plans provide some mental health coverage.

The school board discussed the topic at its meeting on Aug. 20.

“This represents the majority of the increased cost,” reported Grand Island Assistant Superintendent for Finance Loraine Ingrasci.

Also at the meeting:

•The superintendent’s report included a number of items. The custodial staff of the district has received sexual harassment training. This is something that is provided to all staff members, Christmann noted.

•Two of the school board members – Richard Little Jr. and Glenn Bobeck – and the superintendent have agreed to become representatives on the town’s Economic Advisory Board. They hope to do whatever they can to help improve the economic development of Grand Island.

•A decision has been made to have a single list of supplies for middle school students. In the past, there was a generic list that reflected about 80 percent of what a student needed; but parents needed to obtain more items later, based on what team their child was assigned to.

•A transportation study will be done in the future by a group of people in the community. Its purpose is “to see if we are being as effective as we can,” Christmann noted. One item that will be looked into is the feasibility of putting the middle school and high school on the same schedule.

•Parental permissions for publication of student photos will now operate on an opt-out system. Those who do not wish to have their children’s photos printed will need to sign a form. Previously, a form was signed by all parents who gave consent for publication.

•Christmann reported that the New York state STAR property tax rebate information should be mailed out by Albany today. The district will put a link up on their web site (k12.ginet.org) which will give more details about the STAR rebates.

•The last part of the superintendent’s report addressed enrollment in the BOCES program, which offers vocational training. Many different student interests were expressed, according to Christmann. It was noted that the BOCES program which our students attend offers a large number of courses and has three sessions at each location.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the superintendent explained that the school board has decided to continue its policy of holding meetings in the various school buildings, rather than staying in one place. The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 24, at the high school in Room 108.