The Brockport Central School District will present a budget proposal to residents on May 15 that includes a 3.8 percent increase in spending. The $52.4 million spending package for the school year 2001-2002 is up nearly two million dollars from the actual current budget of $50.5 million.

No new staff is included in the proposed budget. Instead, at the May 1 public presentation of the budget, Assistant Superintendent for Business James Wood attributed the increase to several factors: contractual salary raises; benefits costs; BOCES services: and utilities costs.

Under the proposal, salaries will rise 4.4 percent from $26.9 to $28.1 million. BOCES administrative services and additional staff development will cost Brockport $429,711 more in the next budget. Soaring natural gas prices (70 percent increase in the past year, Wood said) will cost the district an extra $121,664. Finally, a 25 percent increase in the cost of health care insurance will cost the district an extra $1.2 million.

"Health care is really the thing that’s driving the budget increase," Wood said.

The district was able to retire some debt service this year, meaning the district will make $500,000 less in payments in the coming budget. The proposal also reduces discretionary budget items – equipment, materials and supplies not mandated by the state – by 9.2 percent.

The 3.8 percent spending increase is the lowest increase since the 1997-98 budget. Last year spending rose by 4.68 percent; in 1999-2000 by 13.3 percent; and in 1998-99 by 4.26 percent.

Wood estimates that state aid will support 58.2 percent of the budget with sales tax and interest earnings providing another 7.2 percent of the needed funds. That leaves about 34.6 percent or $18,128,480 to be raised locally. Last year, the amount to be raised locally was $16,801,186. According to Wood, the average tax increase for local property owners will be about 3.8 percent, although it will vary from town to town.

Projected tax rates per thousand of assessed valuation for 2001-2002 are: Sweden $291.47; Clarkson - $36.14; Hamlin- $34.30; Ogden - $19.56; Parma - $20.11; Clarendon - $22.14; and Bergen - $22.14. It should be noted that the Sweden tax rate listed is based on old assessment figures. Sweden’s new assessment figures were not ready in time for the school budget presentation; however, the new assessment figures will be used on the school tax bills that come out in September. The Sweden tax rate will be adjusted accordingly.

School district residents will also be asked to support an $875,000 bus purchase during the budget vote and elect one trustee to the school board. There are three candidates on the ballot - Scott Banner, Gerald Maar and Terry Wolfe.

Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on May 15 at the Oliver Middle School and the Barclay Elementary School.