Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. Carole A. Pickering
Hyde Park Schools are on the move, thanks to our community!
As a result of the December 13 vote, our
school buildings will get needed repairs
and upgrades over the next two years. Our
historic schools will soon get a facelift, restoring
our own pride along with them! (See the timeline
for Phase 2A work on page 8.)
Last year, our school budget passed on the
first vote with the lowest tax impact in the county.
Some residents actually saw no increase in their
school taxes when the Middle Class STAR rebate
was applied. This year, Proposition I carries an
estimated tax impact of 3.78%; again, we are
near the bottom in comparison with other Dutchess
County districts.
Proposition I permits us to maintain all our
programs and staff and allows for a few modest
improvements. Our plan which is detailed inside
this newsletter, will address the twin goals of
stability and progress.
Our district continues to be financially stable.
Our administrative team is top quality, improving
schools and departments everyday. Teacher turnover
is very low while the quality is high. Support staff
members are dedicated and caring, working together
to improve the Hyde Park Central School District
every day. Life-long residents who have gone
through our school system have said it feels like
Hyde Park is in a kind of renaissance, which literally
means rebirth. This is the highest compliment the
district can receive from our community. My thanks
to each of you for your contribution in making this
happen. I certainly hope we can continue to make
progress at a steady but manageable pace that the
community can support.
Please know that I recognize that paying for
our public schools is a sacrifice, especially in these
times. We are working to slow spending, keep
revenues maximized and the tax impact as low as
possible.
Proposition I is the district’s general operating
budget and is explained in this newsletter. You can
also log on to our website www.hydeparkschools.org, for complete information.
Proposition II continues our bus replacement
cycle, which is the lowest cost request so far in the
seven-year plan. As part of Proposition II, we also
want to begin an eleven-year replacement cycle
for our district’s maintenance vehicles. Some of
them are in terrible shape, and several are out of
commission or waiting for expensive repairs. We
are the third largest district in Dutchess County; we
cannot afford to do nothing.
Proposition II is not an additional expense to
Proposition I. Because we are on a replacement
cycle, debt service is built into the general operating
budget (Proposition I). As buses purchased seven
years ago become completely paid off, new vehicles
enter the cycle and are paid for over a set number of
years through an established borrowing plan. This
is cost effective and addresses the safety of students
and staff. It also prevents spikes in the budget from
year to year.
Please review all the budget information that is
in this newsletter. If you have additional questions,
just call 229-4005 or email me at carole.pickering@
hydeparkschools.org.
While you are reviewing budget information,
please take time to enjoy reading about the
accomplishments of our students and staff.
Hyde Park schools are on the move, and for
this, I sincerely thank you!
Carole A. Pickering
Superintendent of Schools
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11 Boice Road
P. O. Box 2033
Hyde Park, NY 12538
(845) 229-4000
For Emergency Information (845) 229-4001
District Fax: 229-4056
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Last updated Thursday, 01-May-2008 19:31:07 EDT