During this difficult time, we would like to address some questions that we have been fielding and we wish to share the responses will all. As we continue to respond to public inquiries we will continue to add to this Q&A response.

1. Does the 2012-13 budget provide a pay increase to administrators?

No. Administrators have not received a pay increase for two years, and an increase is not scheduled in 2012-13.

2. What about the Directors of Information Technology and Buildings and Grounds? Do they receive a pay increase next year?

No. The budget incorrectly shows an increase in these two lines. Neither of these positions is scheduled to receive an increase in 2012-13.

3. Has the School Related Personnel Concessions been incorporated into the adopted budget?

No. The agreement, which is estimated to save $224,000, was not official prior to budget adoption. The savings will be reflected in the budget as of July 1^st.

4. Where will the savings, $224,000, go when the budget is revised to reflect the concessions?

Savings realized as a result of corrections [No.2 above] and the concessions will be held in the budget and saved unless otherwise needed to pay for unforeseen expenses.

5. Has the District overspent recent budgets?

No. The District expenditures have not exceeded the approved budgets.

6. If the budgets have not been overspent, why is there a need to increase the tax levy?

When budgets were going up in 2007 through 2010, state revenues trended down, property tax rates were relatively flat and temporary federal dollars helped but have now dried up. Reserves [the rainy day account] were used to balance the budget. The rainy day account has dried up.

7. Why do we need a 9.9% tax levy increase if Federal Stimulus and New York State aid are going down $876,063?

A year ago, the budget relied on a $4.4 million dollar reserve to balance the budget.  A year later, this reserve [rainy day account] has dried up.

8. What are the next steps if the proposed budget is defeated?

If the proposed budget is defeated, budget options include:

1. Resubmit the defeated budget for a second vote
2. Submit a revised budget for a vote
3. Adopt a contingent budget without going back to the voters

The next Board of Education meeting will be held May 16th at the Senior High Adult Learning Center. If you are unable to attend but would still like to observe from home, it will be streaming live on the web. Please click the window below to view the web broadcast.      

Previously recorded meeting are now preserved under the Board of Education link. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advocacy Contact Information

Who Can Vote and Budget Vote Information

BOCES Revenue/Expenditure Comparison

 

Five Year Average Tax Decrease

 

Further Tax Rate Review

 

Local Vendor Business with NWCSD