At its regular meeting on April 9, the Hilton Central School District Board of Education adopted a $101,509,535 budget proposal for the 2024-25 school year. This is a 2.14 percent increase from last year’s budget, which, if approved by voters, will result in an estimated 6.72 percent tax rate decrease in Clarkson; a 1.20 percent decrease in Greece; a 40 percent decrease in Hamlin; and a 36.41 percent decrease in Parma. The reason for the estimated decrease is that home values are increasing at a greater percentage than the tax levy.
The tax bill for a home valued at $100,000 in all four towns is anticipated to decrease by $170 due to projected equalization rates. Clarkson’s equalization rate is projected to decrease from 100 percent to 96 percent. In Greece, the equalization rate is projected to decrease from 75.12 percent to 68 percent. In Hamlin, the equalization rate is projected to increase from 67 percent to 100 percent. And in Parma, the equalization rate is projected to increase from 71 percent to 100 percent. Equalization rates ensure that homes with the same assessed value pay the same taxes no matter what town within the school district they are located.
The proposed property tax levy increase is 2.43 percent which complies with the New York State property tax cap.
“Despite facing economic challenges and receiving less foundation aid than warranted, we have strived to uphold our standards of excellence without compromising staff positions or student opportunities,” said Superintendent Dr. Casey Kosiorek. “This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our current Board of Education, past board members, and administration.”
The ballot also will include a Bus Purchase Proposition in the amount of $1,425,000 for seven 65-passenger gasoline school buses and two 30-passenger gasoline school buses. Hilton CSD’s cost of bus purchases, including interest, is reimbursed by the state at 84.8 percent.
In addition, the ballot will include a Capital Reserve Fund Proposition in the amount of $10,000,000 plus earnings to finance site work, construction, or reconstruction, and equipping of school buildings and facilities. The funds would be obtained from budgetary appropriations, unappropriated fund balance, and state aid, and will have no impact on property taxes.
Voters will select two board members to serve three-year terms. The terms of Ed Mascadri and Stephanie Sloan will expire on June 30. The candidates are (in ballot order): Stephanie Sloan, Austin DeLorme, Ed Mascadri, and Mike Zillioux. A Meet the Candidates Night will be held Tuesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in the QUEST Elementary School auditorium. A livestream will be available on the Hilton CSD YouTube channel and instructions on how to join will be posted at http://Hilton.k12.ny.us.
Budget details are available at http://Hilton.k12.ny.us/budget. A budget newsletter will be mailed to residents in May. The budget hearing will be held Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. in the QUEST Elementary School auditorium.
The Budget Vote and Board of Education Election will be held Tuesday, May 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. All district residents may vote at Parma Town Hall, 1300 Hilton Parma Corners Road, Hilton. Polls are handicap accessible. To vote, one must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age, a Hilton Central School District resident for at least 30 days before the vote, and not otherwise prohibited from voting under Election Law Section 5-106. Voters registered with the County Board of Elections are registered with the district. Qualified voters not registered with the County must present one form of proof of residency (i.e., driver’s license, non-driver ID, utility bill).
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