May 01, 2008 12:43 pm
—
Staff Report
CHERRY-VALLEY — Cherry-Valley
Springfield Central School will be holding its
Annual Budget Hearing in the school building
on Thursday, May 8 at 7 p.m., and district
residents will have the opportunity to
cast their votes for the budget on Tuesday,
May 20.
CV-S is proposing a budget of $11,235,357,
which will increase the budget spending by
2.55 percent compared to the current year’s
budget. The estimated tax levy increase is
.79 percent.
In addition to the school budget proposition,
two further propositions will be presented
to the voters on Tuesday, May 20.
They are:
- Proposition 2 — Transferring $290,000
from General Fund Balance to the Debt Service
Fund.
The District is proposing to transfer money
to the Debt Service Fund to offset capital
debt. It appears as though this fund will be
able to cover the local share of the EXCEL
Building Project that was approved last fall.
- Proposition 3 — Paying off a Bond Anticipation
Note.
The District is proposing to pay the outstanding
principal, $62,180, for a bus purchase
made in 2006. This will save the District
interest and fees associated with the
bond process.
According to Superintendent Nicholas
Savin, the funds available for these propositions
have come from additional aid received
from New York State. The additional revenue
comes mainly from the areas of transportation
and special education.
The District is expecting a 3.89 percent
increase in state aid compared to the current
year. Both health insurance (2 percent increase)
and retirement benefits (no increase)
have assisted the district’s efforts to develop
and propose a school budget with a very
small projected increase in the tax levy.
The district is projecting overall BOCES
expenses to increase $157,672, from
$1,211,599 for 2007-08, to $1,369,271 for
2008-09. Notable increases for the BOCES
portion of the budget include career and
technical education at $79,996 and computer
services at $85,102. The computer services
portion of the budget has been an area identified
by the State Comptroller’s Office as
needing upgrades. This portion of the budget
is required to be listed in the administrative
code. Notable decreases in the BOCES include
innovative programs at $13,299, distance
learning at $9,500 and instructional
technology support and equipment at
$13,387.
CV-S is expecting to save about $70,000
on special education costs because of the
graduation of several students that are educated
outside of the District’s building.
The District is expecting three teacher retirements
and a resignation. CV-S is looking
to hire new staff for two of the positions. The
resignation is from a half-time teacher, and
the district is looking to hire a full-time person
to cover this half-time teaching assignment
as well as to provide half-time services
in the library. As a result of these staff
changes, a .5 net reduction in staff is projected
for the 2008-09 school year.
The school plans continue the program
initiatives that were started this year. They
include extended library hours/ educational
enrichment, an alternative education program
and a summer reading program.
CV-S is proposing the continuation of
leaving the library open after school daily
until 5 p.m. in order to assist all children,
and especially the children that do not have
access to computers, technology or the internet
at home. The alternative education program
has assisted at-risk students in grades
seven and eight, and the District is proposing
to expand the program to provide a period
of support for students in grade nine.
CV-s is also planning to lengthen the instructional
school day by 14 minutes in hopes
of allowing time for an additional instructional
period and a block of time that will allow
teachers to hold office hours during the
lunch period.
Savin said he and the Board of Education
would like to thank the community members,
students and staff who attended the
scheduled budget meetings.
``It has been helpful to hear your questions
and comments,’’ he said.
Savin said he would also like to encourage
all residents to attend the final budget presentation
on Thursday, May 8 at 7 p.m. A
detailed budget document will be available.
District residents will also be able to vote
for members of the Board of Education Tuesday,
May 20, in the school between the hours
of noon and 8 p.m.
Applications for absentee ballots may be
obtained at the District Office at the school.
Applications must be received by the district
clerk at least seven days before the vote if
the ballot is to be mailed to the absentee voter,
or the day before the vote if the ballot is to
be delivered personally to the absentee voter.
Completed absentee ballots must be returned
to the District Office by 5 p.m. on the day of
the election.
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