Holley CSD adopts 2006-07 budget

Holley CSD adopts 2006-07 budget

Under the proposed spending plan adopted by the Holley Board of Education, taxpayers will see a $.75 increase per $1,000 of assessed value. A home assessed at $100,000 will have a $75 per year increase in taxes.

The $17,646,635 budget proposal is a 3.36 percent increase (or $572,870) over the current budget and was adopted by the board at its March 20 meeting.

School Superintendent Robert D'Angelo said the proposed budget is a "roll over" from the present year. "The budget-to-budget increase was due primarily to contractual costs, contributions to retirement systems, health insurance and fuel (both heating and transportation)," he said.

D'Angelo said district officials began the budget process in December and worked hard to provide opportunities for community input via budget workshops.

"I think we've put together a budget that is educationally sound yet one that is affordable for the community," he said.

Also on the ballot will be propositions for authorization for the district to raise $83,983 to be used in support of the maintenance and operations of the Community Free Library; the approval of a $30,000 payment for the purchase of 44 acres of land located directly adjacent to the high school building. The cost of the land is included in the $.75 per $1,000 tax figure; and to approve the purchase of five school buses in the amount of $400,000.

According to the district's website, Holley had to abandon its bus replacement schedule in prior years because of budget constraints and if the purchase is approved it will get the district back on a normal bus purchasing schedule. The district would receive 80 percent state aid on the purchase, leaving a local share of $80,000. With interest, the local share would be $89,600 to be paid over five years. The tax increase would be $.07 per thousand of assessed value, without any change in the equalization rate.

"I sincerely appreciate the support that the community has given the district in the past and continues to provide," D'Angelo said. "We look forward to working with the community in an effort to provide our students with the best possible education."

Residents will vote on the school budget on Tuesday, May 16 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the high school foyer.