North Shore School District has been over budgeting and over funding the District Reserves for years.  They have also been unlawfully retaining budget surpluses.  The Reserves are funds that the taxpayers were told were needed for education, but the money was not used.  This money rightfully belongs to the taxpayers.  Currently there is over $34 million in Reserves and Cash Balances - which is more than 30% of the budget.  More information can be found here

This petition is asking the BOE for fiscal responsibility.  It is also requesting that the BOE returns a portion of the surplus funds from Reserves and Cash Balances back to the taxpayers in the form of a tax reduction.   In addition, we are requesting the removal of the proposed Referendum 2 that would establish another new Capital Reserve Fund.

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We, the taxpayers of North Shore Central School District request that the Board of Education reduces the following Reserves and return the below funds to taxpayers in the form of a tax reduction with the 2021-22 budget:

• Reduce Employee Retirement Reserve to no more than 2% of employee annual payroll expense, in line with the Teachers Retirement Reserve
• Reduce the Unemployment Insurance Reserve to no more than 1% of teacher and employee payroll expense.  This reserve was established in 1998 and has never been used.
• Reduce the Workers Comp Reserve to no more than 1.5% of employee and teacher payroll expense
• Eliminate the Liability Reserve
• Eliminate the Employee Benefit Funds Reserve
• Return all surplus funds in the General Fund, to the to the taxpayers, in the form of a tax reduction as required by law 

This would reduce the District Reserves by approximately $8.6 million dollars. The 2019-20 surplus above 4% required by law to be returned to the taxpayers is approximately $5 million dollars.  

We are not requesting that the Reserves be eliminated entirely.   We are asking for Fiscal Responsibility and request that the District stop the practice of over budgeting and banking taxpayer money.

In addition, we request the removal of the proposed Referendum 2 that would establish another new Capital Reserve Fund.   No new Reserves should be created until existing Reserves and Fund Balances are brought to responsible levels.  A Third-Party Budget Oversight Committee must be established to review the over budgeting and overspending by the District. 

We can have both great schools and be fiscally responsible.  We do not believe that additional taxation is needed for our children to receive a great education.