Hilton senior Morgan Graus signed to play Division II soccer for Philadelphia University. She is shown (l-r) with her father, Jason Graus, coach Steve Sorenson, and mother, Wendy Graus.Morgan Graus, a senior at Hilton High School, will play Division II soccoer for Philadelphia University this fall. She committed verbally last April then was accepted into the University’s physician assistant program, a five-year program, in January. “I thought the field was a good fit for me because I’m good at communicating with people and do well in science, especially biology,” she said.
Morgan has been playing soccer since age four. She started out with the Empire United Soccer Academy and has played for Hilton High School’s varsity team for five years. A midfielder and forward, Morgan said the highlights of her career include scoring the winning goal in the fist round game of sectionals as a sophomore and winning the division title this year.
In college, Morgan’s looking forward to the challenges ahead of her both academicaly and on the field. “I want to make myself the best I can be in college,” she said.
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS – WEEK OF MARCH 17, 2013
BROCKPORT
BCSD presents draft 2013-2014 budget
The Brockport Central School District 2013-2014 draft budget was presented at the March 5 Board of Education meeting. The draft budget reflects the district’s new strategic plan including its mission, vision, and core beliefs. The $71,728,314 represents a 3.81 percent increase over the previous year and includes no reductions to programs or staff, according to a press release from the district.
The draft budget includes reinstating the curriculum director position and adding teaching staff at the high school to implement a new master schedule that will provide students with the opportunity to earn additional credits or receive academic support.
The budget was balanced utilizing $4.5M of fund balance/reserves, reductions totaling $352,699 (made primarily to non-instructional areas of the budget), and a tax levy increase of 3.98 percent (1 percent of the tax levy increase is offset by the reclassification of Payments in Lieu of Taxes). The tax levy of 3.98 percent is less than Brockport’s tax levy limit (cap) of 5.56 percent. The estimated tax rate increase is approximately 2.24 percent.
In addition to the budget, three board trustee positions and a Bus Purchase Proposition of $987,900 are on the ballot for May 21. Bus purchases receive 90% percent state aid (with an estimated net cost of $8,981 per bus after trade-in and state aid). These purchases allow the bus fleet to remain on a 10-year replacement cycle. The estimated average cost for the bus proposition would be $1.41 per year on a house valued at $100,000.
During the March 19 Board of Education meeting at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium, community members will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the draft budget before its adoption at the April 9 meeting. You may view the complete budget development calendar and additional information at www.bcs1.org.
