I guess I’m not surprised (again).
On Saturday the annual school budget proposal arrived, containing yet another proposed increase.
The cover letter indicated a final use of “reserve funds,” needed to lessen the impact on tax levy, while the Eight Year Tax Rate History table showed a 16.99 percent increase covering 2004-2013. In the Special Budget Section, the Contingent Budget still indicates a 2.23 percent INCREASE in this year’s tax levy even if the proposed budget fails to pass, and a -1.15 percent budget is adopted.
There were several disturbing budget items. In the Administrative Component, a Personnel increase combined with a Records Management, combined with a Curriculum Development & Supervision, results in a $262,671 increase to this section.
In the Program Component, increases to Research and Planning, In Service Training and Community Service (Helmer) increase this component by $835,512.
Last but not least, in the Capital Component, an increase in employee benefits of $458,976.
These increases result in the proposed budget which magically equals last year's budget and still results in another school tax increase.
I’d propose reducing the budget by $1,557,159 to $65,103,152 and NOT increasing the school tax levy. It’s time to find ways to reduce spending and stop the constant increase of taxes or in another eight years we'll be looking at a 35 percent increase.
Just a final thought, the enrollment trend shows a dramatic decrease from 2007-2008 through 2011-2012, yet forecasts growth from 2013 through 2016. Really, where’s everybody coming from?
HOWARD BEATTY
Irondequoit
I guess I’m not surprised (again).
On Saturday the annual school budget proposal arrived, containing yet another proposed increase.
The cover letter indicated a final use of “reserve funds,” needed to lessen the impact on tax levy, while the Eight Year Tax Rate History table showed a 16.99 percent increase covering 2004-2013. In the Special Budget Section, the Contingent Budget still indicates a 2.23 percent INCREASE in this year’s tax levy even if the proposed budget fails to pass, and a -1.15 percent budget is adopted.
There were several disturbing budget items. In the Administrative Component, a Personnel increase combined with a Records Management, combined with a Curriculum Development & Supervision, results in a $262,671 increase to this section.
In the Program Component, increases to Research and Planning, In Service Training and Community Service (Helmer) increase this component by $835,512.
Last but not least, in the Capital Component, an increase in employee benefits of $458,976.
These increases result in the proposed budget which magically equals last year's budget and still results in another school tax increase.
I’d propose reducing the budget by $1,557,159 to $65,103,152 and NOT increasing the school tax levy. It’s time to find ways to reduce spending and stop the constant increase of taxes or in another eight years we'll be looking at a 35 percent increase.
Just a final thought, the enrollment trend shows a dramatic decrease from 2007-2008 through 2011-2012, yet forecasts growth from 2013 through 2016. Really, where’s everybody coming from?
HOWARD BEATTY
Irondequoit
