By Liz Page
DAVENPORT – The New York State budget passed on Monday, well after the state's school districts were required to file their budget proposals. Charlotte Valley Central School District Superintendent Eric Whipple said they budgeted for a two percent increase in school foundation aid as proposed by Governor Cathy Hochul. He said word from reliable sources indicates that will not change and they should know for certain by week's end.
Charlotte Valley will hold its budget hearing at 6:30 p.m. on May 6 in the elementary gym. The proposed budget totals $12,755,676 and remains within the allowable tax cap. It is projecting a three percent increase in the tax levy, just under the allowable 3.03 percent tax cap for CVCS.
Whipple said the budget is up due to employee compensation and benefits, with health insurance the biggest increase, which is the trend across the nation. Debt service on a voter approved 2022 capital project also comes into play this year. Voters approved a marginal increase in their taxes to help cover the cost. The budget is also being affected by the increased cost of goods and services which is affecting almost every aspect of doing business.
The district is also budgeting for a diesel bus.
He said they are also keeping an eye on news from the federal government and whether federal funding may be affected in the future. "If federal funding is cut or reduced, this could mean that adjustments will be required in order to maintain a balanced operating budget."
In addition to the budget, voters will be asked to decide two three-year terms on the school's board of education. Incumbent school board members Matt Moyse and Amanda Richter have petitioned to fill new terms without opposition.
The budget vote is set for May 20 from noon to 8 p.m. in the Charlotte Valley Central School cafeteria.
"We are committed to continuing to provide robust and sustainable programming for our district students. We have been able to develop a budget that maintains our current programming, focusing on State required classes, academic intervention services, electives, extra and co-curricular activities, and college-level classes. This school year we are able to introduce and offer 18 credits of college level classes taught by CVCS teachers. We are trying to build on that for next year. We have also budgeted for a full-time Library Media Specialist (Librarian) to develop our Library Media program in the new library, which is scheduled to be open on September 1. A goal of ours is to introduce business classes into our program and this budget has the capacity to do this if passed. Financial literacy and business education is important learning for all students, no matter the field of work or direction they take after high school," stated Whipple.
Work continues on the library and the school is seeing upgrades to the track and improvements o the music and art room.
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