Three residents face off in school board race

Residents of the Hilton Central School District will have the chance to cast their ballots May 15 to decide upon next year's spending plan and school board members.

The district is sending a $45.7 million budget proposal to voters, a 5.5 percent or $2.4 million spending increase over last year. The Hilton school board approved the proposal April 10.

For taxpayers, this means a tax rate of about 9.8 percent for each of the district's four towns. Steven Ayers, assistant superintendent for business, said that number should firm up by July, as the district awaits more state aid information.

Offsetting this number is the STAR program incentive, which means that a home of average assessment of $100,000 which is eligible, can expect a tax rate reduction of $62, or about 4 percent decrease, after STAR.

School superintendent John Cooper said he thinks the plan is fiscally responsible as it addresses the needs of the district and its students.

"Last fall our business department scrutinized every line item to ensure accountability," Cooper said. "This allows for much more accurate projections for this year."

Ayers said the $2.4 million spending increase over last year reflects rising health care and benefits costs (about $1.1 million), a 20 percent growth rate in the cost of private student placement, the intensifying price of natural gas, and a $200,000 jolt to the district's fund balance. This is the first part of a five-year plan to bring the district's savings to $1 million, he explained.

However, Ayers said the district is attempting to save money by decreasing its participation in programs through Monroe BOCES No. 2 by 10 percent. Also, the district has eliminated three staffing positions, due to attrition, he said.

"We really took some time this year to take a look at every line in the budget," Ayers added. "We've squeezed the numbers as hard as we can."

Ayers said the budget does include the creation of a handful of new positions in the areas of literacy at the first grade level and allows for staffing in an English-language arts center at the middle school level. These positions, he said, are part of the district's attempt to help students excel while trying to meet the new rigorous state Regents standards.

Also, voters will have the chance to bring two incumbents and one newcomer to the school board. Incumbents Dale Beehler and board president David Fisher, as well as resident James Giordano, each run unopposed for three seats.

Each seat carries a three-year term. One seat is being vacated by Sue Roethel Gioia, who decided not to run again to focus more on her family and career.

Dale Beehler, 41, said she is looking forward to remaining part of the group, which she has served one term. A resident of Hamlin Center Road, Beehler is employed by Jo-Ann Etc. Her son, Adam, is a sophomore and daughter, Melissa, graduated in 2000 from Hilton High School.
"It's a very cohesive group to work with," Beehler said. "Because of this, we can move forward and really get down to work. I wanted to follow things through that we started."

Fisher, 62, is seeking his third full term on the board. He filled an unexpired term in 1994 and has remained with the group since. He lives on Curtis Road in Parma and is chief executive officer of Oak Orchard Community Health Center in Brockport. He has three grown sons and a stepdaughter, each of whom graduated from Hilton.

He said he is enthusiastic about long-range planning for the district, which is expected to include a capital improvement project to improve each of the district's infrastructures. While the district is still in its preliminary scope of the project, a vote is slated for December, he said.

"The real goal is trying to figure out how to improve our educational product without expanding resources," Fisher said. "There's a lot in motion."

Giordano, 53, is a resident of Raspberry Patch Drive in Greece and serves as superintendent for administration for Monroe BOCES No. 2. He is also a former assistant superintendent of administration for Hilton schools, and previously served as Hilton Music Boosters president and member of Hilton Sports Boosters.

Giordano could not be reached for comment.

Gioia said she is happy with her time on the board and plans to stay active in the school community.

"Right now is the best time to be a board member," Gioia said. "The board is working together as an effective team."

The district will hold a public hearing on the budget proposal at 7 p.m. May 8 and will also host a meet the candidates event at 7 p.m. May 9 at the West Avenue Building, 225 West Avenue.

The budget vote and board election will be held from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 15 at West Avenue and Northwood Elementary School, 433 North Greece Road.