Auburn Enlarged City School District officials are forecasting an 8 percent tax levy, according to information distributed to school board members Friday. However, some board members and the school superintendent are backing away from the 8 percent figure, saying the estimate is unrealistic and not meant to be seen by the public.
“I don't want to put fear into a community with numbers that aren't accurate,” said Superintendent John Plume.
Plume emphasized that no one knows the final version of the school budget because it is based on Gov. George Pataki's initial state budget proposal, which came out last month.
“We don't know the final version that the state is going to be increasing,” said Plume.
“It's too early for Auburn to be giving projections. The state budget is too nebulous and our budget is too nebulous,” said board member Charles Beck, who also received the pre-meeting packet which contained the 8 percent tax levy prediction.
The governor's January budget proposal included a .57-percent increase in state aid to Auburn schools, edging the district's budget to more than $30 million from more than $29 million last year. Plume has noted the increase was among the lowest in Cayuga County.
Last year, the board approved a 4.98 percent tax levy originally projected at more than 9 percent. State Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, acknowledged a meeting with board members last week, and said the increase did not include spending for BOCES and excess cost aid like special education.
“Based on current spending levels, they have certain needs,” he said. Nozzolio said he would seek restorations in state assistance to Auburn schools, and “fight for property tax relief.”
Still, school board members maintained that it is far too early to come out publicly with hard numbers.
“We haven't talked about it as a board yet,” said board president Michael Stearns.
“Typically school boards are required to put together budgets without good information,” said Stearns, who added that the 8 percent figure was “initially tossed around.”
Tonight's school board meeting agenda includes a 2006-07 budget overview, but members said they were sure that specific revenue projections would not come up.
“We don't have final numbers from Albany and we won't have them for a bit,” Stearns said.
Staff writer Olivia Goldberg can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or olivia.goldberg@lee.net
Plume emphasized that no one knows the final version of the school budget because it is based on Gov. George Pataki's initial state budget proposal, which came out last month.
“We don't know the final version that the state is going to be increasing,” said Plume.
“It's too early for Auburn to be giving projections. The state budget is too nebulous and our budget is too nebulous,” said board member Charles Beck, who also received the pre-meeting packet which contained the 8 percent tax levy prediction.
The governor's January budget proposal included a .57-percent increase in state aid to Auburn schools, edging the district's budget to more than $30 million from more than $29 million last year. Plume has noted the increase was among the lowest in Cayuga County.
Last year, the board approved a 4.98 percent tax levy originally projected at more than 9 percent. State Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, acknowledged a meeting with board members last week, and said the increase did not include spending for BOCES and excess cost aid like special education.
“Based on current spending levels, they have certain needs,” he said. Nozzolio said he would seek restorations in state assistance to Auburn schools, and “fight for property tax relief.”
Still, school board members maintained that it is far too early to come out publicly with hard numbers.
“We haven't talked about it as a board yet,” said board president Michael Stearns.
“Typically school boards are required to put together budgets without good information,” said Stearns, who added that the 8 percent figure was “initially tossed around.”
Tonight's school board meeting agenda includes a 2006-07 budget overview, but members said they were sure that specific revenue projections would not come up.
“We don't have final numbers from Albany and we won't have them for a bit,” Stearns said.
Staff writer Olivia Goldberg can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or olivia.goldberg@lee.net
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