Q. How were areas of investment in the budget identified?
A. The district identified budget priorities through consultation with our faculty and staff, the district’s leadership team, as well as family and community feedback through a budget ThoughtExchange (online public engagement tool) with nearly 400 participants. Budget additions include many items that have been recognized as priorities over time, including addressing middle school class size and teaming, student support and caring for facilities.
Q. What is the difference between tax levy and tax rate?
A. The tax levy is the total amount of taxes that a school district raises from property owners within the district in order to balance its budget. The district determines what the levy will be after accounting for all other sources of revenue, including state aid. The tax rate is used to calculate what each property owner will pay in school taxes.
Q. What happens if the budget is not approved?
A. Under New York State Education Law, if voters defeat a proposed budget, school districts can either hold another budget vote in June (on the same plan or a revised proposal) or immediately adopt a contingent budget for the coming year. If a budget is defeated a second time, the district must adopt a contingent budget. Under the law, the tax levy in a contingent budget cannot increase from the prior year. This means that the district would need to make more reductions, in the amount of the tax levy increase of $1,274,459, to comply with this. In this event, the district would not be able to fund many of the planned new investments in 2024-25. Additionally, in a contingent budget, there can be no spending on equipment purchases or community use of school facilities.