The preliminary figures are in and they aren't looking too promising for taxpayers in the Holley Central School District.

The budget will be presented to board members, and taxpayers, on April 8. "We have to do a lot of tweaking," Business Administrator Ted Welch said. "We're looking at a budget of $15,353,664 - that's an increase of 16.95 percent over last year."

Preliminary figures would put the tax rate at $27.55 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from the 2002-2003 budget rate of $23.51.

Welch cautioned that these figures are in the preliminary stages. "Under the present budget we are scheduled to lose about a half a million dollars in state aid," he explained. "That accounts for about 10 percent of the 16.9 percent increase."

Because of enrollment figures and scheduling, the district recently trimmed an additional seven teaching positions. "We did a lot of cutting mid-year and these seven are in addition to that," Welch said.

The budget that will be presented, Welch said, is "pretty much below the contingent level." The board eliminated modified sports in the seventh and eighth grades, driver's education programs, and summer school transportation. "We will have a new football team but it will be completely funded by non tax dollars," he said. "A community booster group will fund the program."

The district's pre-kindergarten program will remain intact as Welch said.

A budget deficit of $1.2 million was announced at the end of the 2001-2002 school year. An audit showed that most of the deficit was a result of overspending on special education services and other services provided by BOCES.

In March, the district identified a budget deficit and cut three teachers, seven aides and other miscellaneous positions. "We did that after the Governor's budget called for massive cuts in state aid for our district," Welch said. "Those cuts put us on good financial footing."

Welch said he believes the district can look toward good financial growth.

"I think our days of having to look at places to trim are over for the time being."