Spencerport schools looking at tax rate hike

Rising health insurance costs, changes in the way the state allots building aid and almost half a million dollar decrease in state aid will be contributing to a seven to nine percent tax levy increase for taxpayers in the Spencerport School District.

"The budget we presented offers a 3.18 percent increase in the instructional end of our district," Assistant Superintendent for Business Fred Seiler said. "We have to deal with putting together a budget that maintains our programs while struggling with decreasing state aid dollars."

Seiler said with the state redefining the way it allots building aid the district is looking at losing more than $160,000 in money that was budgeted. He said that health insurance increases have also contributed to the tight budget year. "With insurance we are looking at more than a million dollars in premium increases," he said.

Last year’s total budget was $48,786,686, he said. The proposed budget calls for $50,335,000. Seiler had no figures available on how the proposed budget would affect taxpayer’s bills. "That’s a tough question to answer," he said. "Tax rates are set in August and the Town of Parma is going through a reassessment so at this point it’s hard to get a final number."

Last year, taxpayers in the district voted down the budget originally presented to them by a 21-vote margin. The original package was for $48.7 million. In June they approved a $48.67 million budget. The estimated property tax rate increases ranged from 4.4 percent to 8.1 percent in Ogden and Parma and 8.1 percent for taxpayers in Gates.

Some of the areas seeing cuts are equipment and supply purchases, printing and staff development. Seiler said he hopes the reductions in staff will be through retirement rather than cuts.

The district is anticipating having 15 teachers retire and will only plan on filling seven of the positions. The savings could amount to more than $300,000 Seiler said.

The budget goes before voters on May 21.