JORDAN --Voters in the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District will be asked to vote on a revised budget for the 2008-2009 school year that cuts $189,000 in spending, but they will not be asked - until at least the fall - to decide on a proposed capital project.
At a special meeting at the high school Friday, the school board unanimously voted to propose a revised budget of $26,762,966 for voters to decide on June 17.
The increase in this proposed budget over last year's is 5.04 percent, with a tax levy increase of 2.43 percent.
Voters on May 20 rejected a budget that increased spending 5.79 percent and carried a tax levy increase of 4.33 percent.
“We're here to share the results of change,” superintendent Marilyn Dominick said. “We wanted to stay away from impacting any kind of student opportunity.”
A public hearing on the newly proposed budget will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, June 9 at Jordan-Elbridge Middle School. Then, on June 17, residents will cast their ballots between noon and 9 p.m. If the second budget is defeated, the district will have to operate on a contingency budget of $26,361,316 for the next school year.
The cuts were accomplished by adding $11,000 from a designated fund balance, increasing that amount to $586,000 in revenue. The board reduced expenses in administrative central support (-$37,500), special education (-$25,500), equipment (-$80,000), meeting refreshments (-$5,000), building and grounds staff reorganization (-$15,000), and administrative central administration (-$26,000).
Arien Schneider, president of the board, invited the audience of about 35 to ask questions, expressing disappointment at his losing control during previous hearings. He apologized for not being able to limit the people who came forward to questions rather than attacks.
Residents in the audience asked a variety of questions. Some wanted to know what the tax impact would be on a $100,000 house. Others wondered why the board couldn't cut administrative salaries before making personnel cuts. The board answered each question, educating the audience on the limits on their power under the law in coming up with an expenditure budget.
The board also unanimously resolved to cancel the previously scheduled June 10 vote for the proposed $28.9 million capital project. The three propositions for that project are expected to be proposed again in the fall.
After the budget was turned down on May 20 by 200 votes, the board heard from the public and considered its options at two subsequent meetings.
The defeated budget, amounting to $26,951,966, was a 5.79 percent increase over last year's budget. The estimated tax levy was $10,989,691, a 4.33 percent increase in the tax levy.
Should the revised budget fail to pass, a contingency budget with a 3.47 percent increase. The estimated tax levy under a contingency would be $10,399,041.
The board will be mailing out information to residents prior to the public hearing and the next vote.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
The increase in this proposed budget over last year's is 5.04 percent, with a tax levy increase of 2.43 percent.
Voters on May 20 rejected a budget that increased spending 5.79 percent and carried a tax levy increase of 4.33 percent.
“We're here to share the results of change,” superintendent Marilyn Dominick said. “We wanted to stay away from impacting any kind of student opportunity.”
A public hearing on the newly proposed budget will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, June 9 at Jordan-Elbridge Middle School. Then, on June 17, residents will cast their ballots between noon and 9 p.m. If the second budget is defeated, the district will have to operate on a contingency budget of $26,361,316 for the next school year.
The cuts were accomplished by adding $11,000 from a designated fund balance, increasing that amount to $586,000 in revenue. The board reduced expenses in administrative central support (-$37,500), special education (-$25,500), equipment (-$80,000), meeting refreshments (-$5,000), building and grounds staff reorganization (-$15,000), and administrative central administration (-$26,000).
Arien Schneider, president of the board, invited the audience of about 35 to ask questions, expressing disappointment at his losing control during previous hearings. He apologized for not being able to limit the people who came forward to questions rather than attacks.
Residents in the audience asked a variety of questions. Some wanted to know what the tax impact would be on a $100,000 house. Others wondered why the board couldn't cut administrative salaries before making personnel cuts. The board answered each question, educating the audience on the limits on their power under the law in coming up with an expenditure budget.
The board also unanimously resolved to cancel the previously scheduled June 10 vote for the proposed $28.9 million capital project. The three propositions for that project are expected to be proposed again in the fall.
After the budget was turned down on May 20 by 200 votes, the board heard from the public and considered its options at two subsequent meetings.
The defeated budget, amounting to $26,951,966, was a 5.79 percent increase over last year's budget. The estimated tax levy was $10,989,691, a 4.33 percent increase in the tax levy.
Should the revised budget fail to pass, a contingency budget with a 3.47 percent increase. The estimated tax levy under a contingency would be $10,399,041.
The board will be mailing out information to residents prior to the public hearing and the next vote.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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