District 13's proposed budget will need 60 percent

District 13 homeowners will see an increase of more than $100 in the elementary portion of their school tax bill if the proposed budget is approved by voters in May.

The Board of Education adopted a $43.2 million budget for the 2012-13 school year which would raise spending by 1.6 percent. The tax levy would increase by 3.5 percent, just under the district’s allowable increase of 3.52 percent.

The average homeowner would see their tax bill rise by $114 next year, or “31 cents a day,” according to Meredith Brosnan, the district’s assistant superintendent for business.

Brosnan said there are a few reasons why the allowable increase is greater than 2 percent. First, she said, there is new property on the tax rolls with the construction of the Dutch Gate senior housing complex. Additionally, the district will increase its capital spending next year to complete some building repairs.

Although the tax levy increase is under the “tax cap,” the budget won’t pass unless 60 percent of voters approve it, because of a second proposition on the ballot. The voter requested referendum, to increase transportation eligibility for students, would add an additional $296,000 to the budget if it passes.

Currently, bus service is offered to students in grades K-3 living at least a half-mile from school, and children in grades 4-6 living a mile away. The proposition would make it a uniform half-mile for all students.

Board of Education members legally cannot take a position on the bus proposition. All they can do, noted Board President Frank Chiachiere, is inform the public about the referendum.

“As long as the facts are the facts, they can publicize that,” said Florence Frazer, the district’s attorney.

The budget proposal maintains all programs and class sizes in the district. There will be no salary increases for teachers next year. Chiachiere said the freeze on teacher salaries helped control costs and kept the board from having to make any tough decisions.

District 13 did just receive about an additional $200,000 in state aid from New York, with the approval of the budget by the Legislature and governor. Brosnan said the money will likely be used to help offset tax increases in future years.