JORDAN - Money is tight everywhere these days, and the same holds true for the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District.
William Hamilton, assistant superintendent for business and finance, presented to the board of education Wednesday, a revised budget proposal for the 2008-09 academic year that takes into account taxpayers' wallets.
Initially, the district looked at a proposed budget of $27,715, 240 for next year, but after learning that Jordan-Elbridge was going to be receiving considerably less state aid than was promised by Gov. Eliot Spitzer last year and the financial state of the taxpayers, Hamilton devised a proposed budget of $26,955,778 - cutting $759,000, with a tax levy increase of 5.8 percent.
Hamilton asked the board if they were interested in the revised proposal, or if they wanted to stick with the original number, which includes a tax levy increase of 6.9 percent. The board members agreed they wanted to keep the smaller number, especially since the district will soon be asking voters to authorize an estimated $26 million capital project dealing with instruction, athletics and drainage.
But they also agreed cuts should not impact gains the district has seen the last several years.
“Were not giving back something we worked so hard to get,” said board member Greg Frost.
Superintendent Marilyn Dominick agreed with that assessment.
“We've done a lot of great things over the past few years, and I'd hate to lose them,” she said.
Board member Erica O'Brien also favored the lesser amount. She noted that districts keep asking for money.
“At what point do we break taxpayers?” she asked.
Dominick traveled to Albany on Tuesday to meet with state legislators over the proposed school aid formula. After receiving a 7-percent increase in state aid for the 2007-08 school year, the district will only see an increase of 2.6 percent, the lowest in the area, Dominick said.
In general aid, that is about $13,043,661 for the next academic year.
“It will not cover our increases,” she said. “Not even close.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
Initially, the district looked at a proposed budget of $27,715, 240 for next year, but after learning that Jordan-Elbridge was going to be receiving considerably less state aid than was promised by Gov. Eliot Spitzer last year and the financial state of the taxpayers, Hamilton devised a proposed budget of $26,955,778 - cutting $759,000, with a tax levy increase of 5.8 percent.
Hamilton asked the board if they were interested in the revised proposal, or if they wanted to stick with the original number, which includes a tax levy increase of 6.9 percent. The board members agreed they wanted to keep the smaller number, especially since the district will soon be asking voters to authorize an estimated $26 million capital project dealing with instruction, athletics and drainage.
But they also agreed cuts should not impact gains the district has seen the last several years.
“Were not giving back something we worked so hard to get,” said board member Greg Frost.
Superintendent Marilyn Dominick agreed with that assessment.
“We've done a lot of great things over the past few years, and I'd hate to lose them,” she said.
Board member Erica O'Brien also favored the lesser amount. She noted that districts keep asking for money.
“At what point do we break taxpayers?” she asked.
Dominick traveled to Albany on Tuesday to meet with state legislators over the proposed school aid formula. After receiving a 7-percent increase in state aid for the 2007-08 school year, the district will only see an increase of 2.6 percent, the lowest in the area, Dominick said.
In general aid, that is about $13,043,661 for the next academic year.
“It will not cover our increases,” she said. “Not even close.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
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