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Plainview-Old Bethpage hears staffing report as enrollment rises; district says no elementary-program cuts
Summary
District staffing director Chris Donnarumma told the board that staffing is the largest part of the budget (about 80%) and that recent enrollment growth—including 260 UPK students—has driven modest additions of sections and FTEs while preserving existing elementary programs.
Chris Donnarumma, the district official who presented the staffing and class-size report, told the Board of Education that staffing accounts for roughly 80% of the district budget and that recent enrollment growth requires careful planning for next year.
"It is the largest part of the budget," Donnarumma said, adding that enrollment has increased over the past six years and that, with the universal prekindergarten program, total growth is about 12.7 percent. He said administrators estimate elementary and secondary sections by rolling cohorts forward and using recent registration data to refine projections.
The presentation outlined the board's class-size guidelines and the district's initial projections: kindergarten classes targeted between 18 and 24 students; grades 3–4 guided toward 20–28 students; and middle-school guidelines set at 23–28. Donnarumma flagged several local hotspots: Old Bethpage Elementary is projected to lose one section due to a small decline, while Judy Jacobs Parkway is projected to add a section; Stratford Road is projected to be lower but remain within averages.
Donnarumma also described secondary staffing: John F. Kennedy High School is projected to open near 1,745 students and to require modest FTE adjustments across departments, including increases in business, English, health, math and music. He said the district expects to need roughly 78.5 teachers to meet next year’s special-education assignments and that about 280 staff support special-education programming districtwide.
Board members sought clarifications about aide models and contingency funding. A board member asked whether special education aides are 1:1; Donnarumma said configurations vary and include 1:1, 3:1 and classroom aides. The administration said contingency funds (including breakage) are available to cover additional staffing needs and that final section and staffing decisions will be made before portal day in August.
Why this matters: The board is preparing its final budget and staffing allocations ahead of the May budget vote; enrollment changes through summer registration can still alter section counts, which affects personnel decisions and building use.
The board did not announce program eliminations; Donnarumma said the staffing plan "maintains all elementary programs" and preserves enrichment and SEL support.
Next steps: The administration will monitor weekly enrollment updates and return to the board with final section and staffing decisions before the start of the school year.
