Budget presentation May 8

Spencerport school district residents will be asked to support a $48.7 million budget on May 15. The budget calls for a 15 percent increase in spending over the current year budget of $42.4 million.

The majority of the spending increase, $3.7 million, is due to increased debt service to finance the 2000 capital project. A nearly $2 million increase in the instructional part of the budget includes funds for additional faculty and staff at the elementary level and to help general and special education students meet new state requirements. Another area of increase is employee benefits which will cost the district an additional $531,000 in 2001-2002.

State aid is expected to pick up the tab for about 45 percent of the proposed budget. Sales tax revenue, interest and miscellaneous income will contribute another nine percent. That leaves 46 percent or $22.4 million to be levied to property owners. The projected tax levy is up 10.8 percent over the current year tax levy of $20.2 million.

The estimated tax rate for 2001-2002 is $21.92 per thousand of assessed valuation. The percent increase for each town is: Gates – 8.84 percent; Greece – 8.84 percent; Ogden – 6.05 percent; and Parma – 3.2 percent. The rate for each town is pending the filing of final equalization rates.

In addition to the budget, voters will be asked to support a bus bond issue of $470,587 for the purchase of 10 school buses. Voters will also elect three members to the school board. Candidates are incumbent Jack Wade, William Sweeney and John Goehle.

Voting will take place on May 15 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the administration building, 71 Lyell Avenue.

The Budget Hearing and Candidate Information Night will be Tuesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. in the Board of Education Conference Room at the Spencerport Administration Building, 71 Lyell Avenue. In addition to a presentation explaining the proposed 2001-2002 school budget, board candidates will speak about their views and will answer questions.

Residents who want more information on the budget can call Superintendent Phillip Langton, 349-5101 or Assistant Superintendent for Business Fred Seiler, 349-5111. They may also contact any member of the Spencerport Board of Education. In addition, copies of the budget are available for review at the Administration Building, at each of the district's schools and at the Ogden Public Library. Residents can also find more information on the budget on the district's web site, www.spencerportschools.org.