BUDGET VOTE - BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION Tuesday, May 20 th, :00 PM to 8:00 PM High School Cafeteria

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1 Dolgeville Central School District Annual Budget School Budget Newsletter May 2014 A Message to the Dolgeville Central School District Community: The Board of Education is pleased to provide the following information concerning our budget for the school year. Please review the following few pages of information to learn how the district has continued to maintain programs and opportunities for students. This budget reflects the ongoing commitment to provide academic opportunities and extracurricular activities for students. We have been fortunate to be able to maintain high levels of support for instruction throughout some of the most challenging fiscal times in recent memory. In addition, school safety remains a priority. The Board of Education is very pleased to propose a budget plan that does not increase the tax levy above the two percent increase that has been required for several years. This is consistent with the legal limit as determined by the property tax cap law. As always, the budget plan is developed as a team effort, drawing upon the expert judgment of our instructional and non-instructional staff to ensure that we have a complete and accurate understanding of the district s future requirements. The ability to continue to provide a quality education to our students is dependent on the involvement of our community in the budget process. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with this budget, to attend the annual budget hearing on Tuesday, May 13 th ; and to exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, May 20 th. BOARD OF EDUCATION Karen Nagle, President Robert Maxwell, Vice President Donna Christensen David Clark Marie Huddleston Peter Jaikin Mark Lewandowski BUDGET HEARING Tuesday, May 13 th, :00 PM High School Cafeteria BUDGET VOTE - BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION Tuesday, May 20 th, :00 PM to 8:00 PM High School Cafeteria

2 Dolgeville Central School District Budget Overview General Fund Appropriations by Program TYPE AMOUNT % of TOTAL Administrative $ 1,869, % Program $ 14,620, % Capital $ 2,589, % TOTAL $ 19,078, % General Fund Appropriations by Program Proposed Proposed (Decrease) Increase % Change Administrative $ 1,718,959 $ 1,869,403 $ 150, % Program $ 14,100,149 $ 14,620,482 $ 520, % Capital $ 2,927,025 $ 2,589,002 $ (338,023) % Total $ 18,746,133 $ 19,078,886 $ 332, % General Fund Appropriations by Type Description Proposed Proposed % Change % of Total Payroll $ 7,855,756 $ 7,943, % 41.64% Benefits $ 4,755,465 $ 5,226, % 27.40% Debt Service $ 1,229,630 $ 1,229, % 6.44% BOCES Services $ 2,267,394 $ 2,196, % 11.51% Equipment $ 179,105 $ 179, % 0.94% Contractual $ 1,459,213 $ 1,596, % 8.37% Supplies $ 699,896 $ 672, % 3.53% Textbooks $ 53,238 $ 34, % 0.18% Bus Purchases $ 246,436 $ % 0.00% TOTAL $ 18,746,133 $ 19,078, % 100% General Fund Revenues SOURCE Proposed Proposed % Change % of Total Property Tax $ 4,405,537 $ 4,493, % 23.55% State Aid $ 11,428,681 $ 11,789, % 61.79% Other $ 180,000 $ 180, % 0.94% Fund Balance $ 2,731,915 $ 2,616, % 13.71% TOTAL $ 18,746,133 $ 19,078, % 100% True Tax Rate per $

3 Administration The administrative budget includes those expenses directly related to the functioning of the Superintendent s Office, Business Office, attorneys, auditors, BOCES Administration Charges, Supervision, Training, and the Board of Education and District Clerk. The administrative budget is increasing by 8.75%. Description Proposed Proposed Dollar Change % Change Board of Education $ 27,014 $ 27, % Central Administration $ 157,977 $ 167,049 9, % Finance $ 221,155 $ 234,225 13, % Legal $ 50,000 $ 50, % Central Services $ 26,490 $ 29,000 2, % Special Items $ 438,853 $ 472,861 34, % Supervision & Training $ 455,402 $ 516,021 60, % Employee Benefits $ 342,068 $ 372,646 30, % TOTAL $ 1,718,959 $ 1,869, , % Program The program budget includes those expenses directly related to the teaching of students. Those include teachers, instructional aides and other professional salaries, BOCES charges, supplies, textbooks, special education costs, health and guidance services, co-curricular activities, and interscholastic athletics. The program area also includes transportation expenses directly related to the functioning of the bus garage and the operation of the bus fleet. The program area shows an increase of 3.69%. Description Proposed Proposed Dollar Change % Change Teaching Regular School $ 5,585,252 $ 5,718, , % Handicapped Instruction $ 1,835,649 $ 1,903,995 68, % Instructional Media $ 812,052 $ 727,475 (84,577) % Pupil Services $ 707,862 $ 662,236 (45,626) -6.45% Pupil Transportation $ 940,824 $ 970,725 29, % Community Services $ 2,229 $ 2, % Employee Benefits $ 4,216,281 $ 4,635, , % TOTAL $ 14,100,149 $ 14,620, , % Capital The capital budget includes Operations and Maintenance expenses including salaries, fringe benefits, utilities, and supplies directly related to the cleaning, janitorial services and maintenance of the District s buildings and grounds. This portion of the budget also includes principal and interest costs related to the borrowing for our capital improvement projects. To offset the major portion of this expense the district receives Building Aid from the State of New York. The capital budget has decreased by 11.55%. Description Proposed Proposed Dollar Change % Change Operations & Maintenance $ 1,211,343 $ 1,098,336 $ (113,007) -9.33% Employee Benefits $ 239,616 $ 261,036 $ 21, % Bus Purchases $ 246,436 $ - $ (246,436) % Bonds $ 1,229,630 $ 1,229,630 $ % TOTAL $ 2,927,025 $ 2,589,002 $ (338,023) %

4 Proposed Budget Questions & Answers Q: If the proposed budget passes, what is it going to cost me? Estimated Maximum Monthly Tax Increase Associated with the Proposed Budget Full Value of Property Non-Residence Without STAR Primary Residence with BASIC STAR Senior Citizen with ENHANCED STAR $50,000 Exemption $30,000 Exemption $30,000 $.64 $0 $0 $50,000 $1.07 $.43 $0 $75,000 $1.60 $.96 $.53 $100,000 $2.13 $1.49 $1.07 Q: Does the STAR Program still exist? A: Yes. The School Tax Relief Program, which is known as STAR, provides a partial exemption from school taxes. All New Yorkers who own and live in their home are eligible for a STAR exemption on their primary residence. Exemption amounts are shown above. Q: How are your dollars spent? A: By state law the budget is divided into three categories: Program 76.63% - This category includes expenses for the instruction and transportation of students. Capital 13.57% - This category includes capital improvement and operations & maintenance costs. Administration 9.80% - This category includes costs for administration, supervision, and legal services. Q: How is education at Dolgeville Central School funded? A: State-Aid covers approximately 61.79% of our expenses, property taxes cover an additional 23.55%, and other sources cover the remaining 14.65%. Q: How much State-Aid will we receive next year? A: Based on current estimates we are expected to receive approximately $11,789,013 in State Aid Proposed Budget Capital 13.57% Administrative 9.8% Program 76.63% Projected Revenue Other.94% Fund Balance 13.71% Property Tax 23.55% Q: What does this mean in terms of local tax increases? A: The Board of Education establishes the final tax levy each August. Based on the anticipated State Aid the tax increase for is expected to be 2%. State Aid 61.79% Q: What has been done to reduce the budget to its present level and limit the tax increase? A: The Board of Education at Dolgeville CSD works hard to balance the needs of our students and the taxpayers ability to pay. We have worked hard to put together a budget that is fiscally responsible and maintains educational programs. This budget balances these two interests. Q: What happens if the proposed budget is voted down? A: If the proposed budget is voted down, the Board of Education can adopt a contingency budget, put the same budget before the voters for a second vote, or put a revised budget before the voters.

5 Q: What is a contingency budget? A: A contingency budget is a budget that includes the minimum funds necessary to operate and maintain schools and educational programs, preserve the property of the district, and to assure the health and safety of the students and staff. Ordinary contingent expenditures are determined by the board of education and are subject to certain regulations. Q: What would the district have to do to develop a contingency budget? A: The district would have to adopt a budget that subject to a cap on the administrative portion of the budget and provides no tax increase from the prior year. In the course of fulfilling Dolgeville Central School s mission the district and community have placed great emphasis on extra-curricular opportunities to help develop well rounded students. This better positions students for the challenges of academic or professional pursuits beyond high school.

6 Students participate in Letters Home: Civil War Stories Black River Outdoor Education Program Musical Girls Basketball Author Visit Fourth Grade Class

7 What is on the Ballot? Dolgeville Central School District Proposed Budget Vote and Board Election Information Voting on the following propositions will take place in the High School Cafeteria, 38 Slawson Street, Dolgeville, New York, on Tuesday, May 20 th, The polls will be open from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Parking will be available in the parking lot across from the high school during the vote. 1. To approve and accept the budget for the school year. 2. To elect 1 member to the Board of Education for a term of 5 years. Voter Qualifications: 1. Citizen of the United States of America. 2. Eighteen or more years of age. 3. District resident 30 days or more preceding the vote. 4. No registration necessary. Library Tax Reminder: Per state law district taxpayers are taxed annually to support two local libraries in the amount last approved by the voters. The amount approved in 2003, $20,000 for the Dolgeville-Manheim Public Library and $7,500 for the Kirby Free Library, are considered annual appropriations until changed by further vote. Absentee Ballots are available by contacting the district office at x3000. MARK YOUR CALENDARS BUDGET HEARING Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 6:00 p.m., High School Cafeteria BUDGET VOTE - BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION Tuesday, May 20, 2014, 2:00 8:00 p.m., High School Cafeteria

8 Dolgeville Central School Administration Christine Reynolds (315) Ext Superintendent Timothy Jenny...(315) Ext High School Principal Crystal Chrisman.(315) Ext Middle School Principal Susan Butler..(315) Ext Elementary Principal John J. McKeown.(315) Ext School Business Administrator Budget Hearing Tuesday, May 13, :00 PM High School Cafeteria Budget Vote Board of Education Election Tuesday, May 20, :00 PM 8:00 PM High School Cafeteria Members of the Board of Education NAME RESIDENCE PHONE TERM Karen Nagle (President) Dolgeville (315) /30/2018 Robert Maxwell (Vice President) Dolgeville (315) /30/2017 Donna Christensen Ephratah (518) /30/2014 David Clark Dolgeville (315) /30/2018 Peter Jaikin Dolgeville (315) /30/2016 Marie Huddleston Dolgeville (315) /30/2016 Mark Lewandowski Salisbury (315) /30/2015 Dolgeville Central School District Non-Profit 38 Slawson Street U.S. Postage Dolgeville, New York PAID Utica, NY Permit # 566.