Shenendehowa Central School District voters will be considering a new budget for the district next month.
According to an April 21 news item, the proposed budget is $163m, and includes a tax hike of 1%. In addition, the school district's buses are aging, and it wants to purchase 21 new vehicles to replace them.
The school district said that the proposed 2015-2016 school year budget preserves services and programs at the current level, has room for some enhancement to programs, remains beneath the cap of the tax levy, and “includes the lowest levy increase in 10 years".
The plan calls for an increasing in spending of $2.75m, which is 1.72% higher than last year. It also includes a tax levy increase of 1.55%, which remains less than the 3.17% limit imposed by the state on the district. The increase would amount to a tax increase of approximately $47 per year on a $250,000 property.
At present, Shenendehowa employs 1,617 people, which includes more than 700 instructors. The proposed budget would allow the district to add additional staff while also purchasing 350 iPads and 800 Chromebooks. The district anticipates reducing costs in transportation and employee retirement, and it also expects to receive about $42.78m in aid from the state.
District officials might consider working with a flyer printing company to create a mailer for residents explaining the issues.
