May Newsletter

Another year has passed since the2012-13 budget was presented for your review. Each year, the Sewanhaka Central High School Districtcelebrates the academic accomplishments of its students.  The district’s students continue to excel inthe classroom, within the performing arts and through their participation inathletic competition.  Graduation is theculmination of this dedication in and out of the classroom.  This past June, 1,403 students received a New York State high school diploma, representinga 96% graduation rate across five high schools. The district’s ongoing high rate of graduation is due to the concertedefforts of students, parents, guardians, faculty, staff andadministration.  It was certainly a teameffort, as it is each year.

The district administration andBoard of Education are responsible for developing an annual budget that willmeet the needs of all of its students.  Long Island is continuing to face serious budgetaryissues and we, the Board of Education, are taking extraordinary measures toensure that the budget is fiscally responsible and yet still ensures studentsuccess.  The proposed budget increase of2.84% and tax levy increase of 3.23% will allow for this success.  This keeps the tax levy within the allowablecalculated limit which will pass if more than 50% of the voters approve thisbudget plan.

We are most proud of thecollaborative effort the entire district has made to make significant budgetreductions, including reductions to teaching staff, teaching assistants,administrators and clerical staff, while still maintaining the integrity of thehigh standards of education that the Sewanhaka Central High School District hasestablished. 

The budget issue of the SewanhakaSCOOP has been mailed to your residences and provides you with detailsregarding the budget, including items which have been cut from the budget, aswell as possible areas to be cut should the budget not pass.  Please take time to review the information inthat document. While we have made extremely difficult decisions, we believe thedecisions will result in the preservation of necessary instructional programs,as well as extracurricular clubs and athletics. The proposal outlined in the Sewanhaka SCOOP will allow you to betterunderstand how your tax dollars will be utilized efficiently in order toeducate the students of our communities. You can also locate this information on the district website at www.sewanhaka.k12.ny.us.  

As I have written in the past, Iwant to continue to thank all the district’s residents for their ongoingsupport of our district and continue to express my sincere appreciation for themanner in which you have supported me during the past two years.  It remains a privilege to serve as theSuperintendent of Schools in such an outstanding, well-respected district. 

Sincerely yours,

Ralph P. Ferrie, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Sewanhaka Central High School District