MERIDIAN -- Taxpayers in the Cato-Meridian Central School District will see a minor increase to the 2008-09 school budget when they go to the polls next month.
During a board of education meeting lasting more than three hours, the board unanimously approved the proposed school budget expected to be put before voters on May 20.
The overall budget proposed totals $18,259,804, a $1,081,640 increase over last year's numbers of $17,178,164, or 6.3 percent.
This equates to a tax levy of $5,016,248, an increase of $188,290 from last year, or a 3.9 percent increase.
According to Superintendent Deborah Bobo, the increase will fund the creation of a director of technology, a foreign language teacher, a computer technician and a full-time psychologist for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade offering drug awareness.
Additionally the increase will allow the district to purchase 103 computers, provide SAT stipends to two people, provide the tax collector a $2,500 stipend and fund attendance to the New York State Middle School Conference held this year in Syracuse.
Furniture for the elementary, middle and high schools will be purchased at $5,000 per building, and data warehouse enhancement will cost $7,000.
There will be no change to instructional programs.
A last minute proposal from the athletics department to fund a junior varsity football team was approved by the board by deducting $6,000 from various line items within the budget.
A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 6 in the middle school auditorium.
The overall budget proposed totals $18,259,804, a $1,081,640 increase over last year's numbers of $17,178,164, or 6.3 percent.
This equates to a tax levy of $5,016,248, an increase of $188,290 from last year, or a 3.9 percent increase.
According to Superintendent Deborah Bobo, the increase will fund the creation of a director of technology, a foreign language teacher, a computer technician and a full-time psychologist for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade offering drug awareness.
Additionally the increase will allow the district to purchase 103 computers, provide SAT stipends to two people, provide the tax collector a $2,500 stipend and fund attendance to the New York State Middle School Conference held this year in Syracuse.
Furniture for the elementary, middle and high schools will be purchased at $5,000 per building, and data warehouse enhancement will cost $7,000.
There will be no change to instructional programs.
A last minute proposal from the athletics department to fund a junior varsity football team was approved by the board by deducting $6,000 from various line items within the budget.
A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 6 in the middle school auditorium.
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Hillbilly wrote on Apr 8, 2008 8:58 AM:
Second, why do the tax payers have to pay (Stipends) for two SAT's? If this get through next year it will be five and in 2010 we will be paying for the whole class. Stop this now or pay a lot more later.
Third, why do the tax payers have to pay a Stipend for the Tax Collector? Is the tax collector not getting paid to collect the taxes? This is STUPID, unless someone on the School Board is trying to payoff the tax collector in some fashion, and this way the tax payer is doing it for them. Tricky.
Forth, let those who wish to attend the New York State Middle School Conference pay for it themselves. As long as they attend this conference for a work related reason, those who attend will be able to write the cost off at the end of the year on their taxes. Like I would have to for attending something related to my work. If they can't afford it, then welcome to the new economy.
Fifth, creation of a director of technology? I guess the computer technician wants a raise and this is how they can get it. Then we can hire another computer technician. Tell me why do we need a director of technology and what will be his/her duties?
I know this can be asked at the meeting on May 6th, a Tuesday at 6:30PM. I will be working 12 hours that day and I get off work at 7PM, then I have to drive back from Syracuse. So someone out there might want to attend this meeting and ask these little questions. Because without answers I vote NO. "