Schools

School District Releases Early Budget Projections

School officials say it's merely a starting point in the 2012-13 budget process.

If the Three Village board of education decides to adopt a rollover budget in its entirety come April, residents would be voting on a budget that would represent a 6.8 percent increase over the 2011-12 budget.

But school officials said Tuesday that figure is merely a starting point for what will inevitably be a lengthy discussion of changes and cuts during the coming months.

"We’re trying to start this earlier, recognizing the significant challenges we face with the budget and with the requirements the state has imposed on us," interim superintendent Neil Lederer said.

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jeff Carlson, assistant superintendent for business services, said a rollover budget – meaning the continuation of all programs and services currently offered by the district – would increase the district's by $11.8 million.

Complicating budget matters, Carlson said, is the property tax cap imposed by the New York State legislature earlier this year, which limits tax levy increases to 2 percent unless at least 60 percent of voters approve a higher increase. A 2 percent tax levy increase would still require $9.3 million in budget cuts and the possible elimination of 91 full time positions, according to Carlson's preliminary numbers.

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Carlson also suggested reducing the amount of funding the district draws from its reserves. The $1.8 million the district received through the federal job funds grant expires this year, meaning that amount will have to be absorbed by the budget as well.

A wild card affecting the process is the amount of state aid the district receives – a figure which won't be available for several more months. The district in aid for this year.

The bottom line, Carlson said, is "we are going to have to make significant cuts throughout the district."


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