Hilton Board of Education adopts
$59.9 million budget proposal

The Hilton Board of Education adopted a $59,997,309 budget proposal at its April 11 meeting which will be presented to voters on Tuesday, May 16. The budget is up 5.04 percent over last year and represents an estimated 2.95 percent tax rate increase in all towns in the district. The taxes for an average house in the district assessed at $100,000 will increase by $46.90 (qualifying for the basic STAR exemption) and $33.50 for seniors with the enhanced STAR exemption, according to Hilton Assistant Superintendent for Business Steven Ayers. There are four propositions on the ballot: the $59.9 million budget proposal, a $782,000 bus purchase proposition, a capital reserve fund approval proposition, and a $270,000 classroom technology purchase proposition.

There are three candidates for three positions on the ballot for the Hilton Board of Education at the Budget Vote and Board Election: incumbent Daniel Wellington, currently board president and seeking his third term; incumbent Gary Comardo, currently board vice president and seeking his fourth term; and appointee Robert Prorok. The three-year terms of current board members Wellington and Comardo will be up for election as well as the remainder of the unexpired term of a former board member who retired in 2005 which is being held by appointee Prorok. The remainder of the unexpired term is one year and 45 days beginning May 17, and ending June 30, 2007. The candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected to the longer terms of office.

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 16, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at polls in Greece and Parma. All town of Greece residents in the Hilton School District vote at Northwood Elementary, 433 North Greece Road, and all Parma, Clarkson and Hamlin residents in the Hilton School District vote at District Offices/Quest Elementary, 225 West Avenue, Hilton. Qualified voters need to be registered with Monroe County Board of Elections (having voted in any general election within the past four years at your current address; no identification is required). Voter information may be received by calling 392-1000 ext. 7099.

Many area civic and educational groups have scheduled budget presentations by school officials. To schedule a presentation, please call 392-1000 ext. 7043. A public hearing on the budget proposal will be held Tuesday, May 9, at 7 p.m. in the board meeting room in District Offices, 225 West Avenue, Hilton. Budget presentations are also being aired on Educable CH 12: May 3 at 8 p.m.; May 11 at 7 p.m. and May 15 at 8 p.m.

A Budget Insight newsletter is being mailed to all district residences on Monday, May 8. The Hilton District web site features a Budget Profile at www.hilton.k12.ny.us/ -- Budget

April 30, 2006