Port News VOTE. Polling Locations. Tuesday, May 17. Where do I vote? POLLS OPEN 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Voter Information Questions?

Transcription

1 Port News PORT JERVIS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 5 Polling Locations More voter information is available at Where do I vote? The polling stations for the District Budget Vote & School Board Election are not the same as the general election polling locations. Port Jervis School District residents can cast their votes May 17, at - Port Jervis Middle School, Port Jervis High School and Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School. Listed below are the designated areas for the new school election districts. School Election District #1: Port Jervis Middle School Gymnasium, 118 E. Main Street, Port Jervis Designated Area: City of Port Jervis General Election District No. 1; City of Port Jervis Wards 1, 2, 3, 4 School Election District #2: Port Jervis High School Gymnasium #2, 10 Route 209, Port Jervis Designated Area: Town of Deerpark General Election Districts No. 3, 4, 5, 7; Section of the Town of Forestburgh General Election District No. 1* (Rio) School Election District #3: Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School, 929 Route 209, Cuddebackville Designated Area: Town of Deerpark General Election Districts No. 1, 2, and 6; Section of the Town of Mamakating General Election District No. 4;* Section of the Town of Forestburgh General Election District No. 1 (Oakland Valley),* Section of the Town of Mount Hope General Election Districts No. 3 & 4* *Section is located within the Port Jervis School District. What is fund balance? How is it being used to REDUCE my taxes? The District is applying $1.05 million from its fund balance to the budget to reduce taxes. This transfer, which is part of the five-year fund balance spending plan, maintains the tax levy at the prior year level. Fund balance is created when a district is able to generate a surplus either by receiving more revenue than expected and/or by spending less than budgeted. The district s fund balance spending plan was developed to apply money from its reserve funds annually to help reduce the tax burden, while maintaining long-term financial stability. Some districts have chosen to deplete their fund balance to fill budget shortfalls created by lagging state aid and unfunded mandated costs. The more prudent approach taken by Port Jervis has helped it to weather the current economic crisis much better than other districts that are facing school closures, program cuts, and massive layoffs. This marks the fifth year under the plan that the School Board has applied over $1 million from the reserve funds to reduce the tax levy. VOTE Tuesday, May 17 POLLS OPEN 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Voter Information Questions? Call the District Clerk at , Ext REGISTRATION Registration simply involves signing the form indicating that you are 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, and will have lived in the district for at least 30 days immediately prior to election day. If you are registered to vote in general elections, you are automatically eligible to vote in school elections. ABSENTEE BALLOTS Registered voters may vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to get to the polls on May 17. The application for an absentee ballot can be obtained from the District Clerk. Absentee ballots must reach the District Office no later than 5 p.m. on election day.

2 BOARD OF EDUCATION Deborah Lasch, President Cathy Sadaghiani, Vice President Judith Amato Valerie Maginsky Tammy Myers William Onofry, Sr. Florence Santini William Smith Robert Witherow Superintendent Thomas M. Bongiovi Port Jervis CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 9 Thompson Street Port Jervis, NY RESIDENT PORT JERVIS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID PORT JERVIS, NY PERMIT NO Port News PORT JERVIS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET School District Budget Notice Overall Budget Proposal Budget Adopted for the School Year Budget Proposed for the School Year Basic School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption is authorized by Section 425 of the Real Property Tax Law. Port Jervis City School District is comprised of four towns and one city. STAR Exemption amounts are different for each one. Actual savings is dependent on assessments and equalizations on rates which are not available before July 1.* Contingency Budget for the School Year* Total Budgeted Amount, Not Including Separate Propositions $65,659,635 $68,415,706 $68,227,658 Increase/decrease for the school year $2,756,071 $2,568,023 Percentage Increase/Decrease in Proposed Budget 4.2% 3.92% Change in the Consumer Price Index 0.12% A. Proposed Tax Levy to Support the Total Budgeted Amount $27,696,501 $27,696,501 B. Levy to Support Library Debt, if Applicable $0 $0 C. Levy for Non-Excludable Propositions, if Applicable ** $0 $0 D. Total Tax Cap Reserve Amount Used to Reduce Current Year Levy $0 $0 E. Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy (A + B + C - D) $27,696,501 $27,696,501 $27,696,501 F. Permissible Exclusions to the School Tax Levy Limit $174,335 $102,491 G. School Tax Levy Limit, Excluding Levy for Permissible Exclusions $27,522,166 $27,594,010 H. Total Proposed Tax Levy for School Purposes, Excluding Permissible Exclusions and Levy for Library Debt, Plus Prior Year Tax Cap Reserve (E - B - F + D) I. Difference: (G H); (Negative Value Requires 60.0% Voter Approval See Note Below Regarding Separate Propositions) ** $27,522,166 $27,594,010 $0 $0 Administrative component $5,504,664 $5,799,540 $5,746,690 Program component $50,925,227 $53,272,079 $53,218,131 Capital component $9,229,744 $9,344,087 $9,262,837 The contingency budget will require elimination of equipment purchases as well as small reductions in administrative initiatives. A contingent budget would require $188,048 in budget reductions. Budget proposed for school year Estimated Basic STAR Exemption Savings $1,025* The School District Budget Notice (on left) is mandated by state law. School districts must present their costs in three prescribed components. The budget document, which contains a summary report of tax exemptions, is available at: District Business Office 9 Thompson Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771, and in the main office of each school building. If you have any questions or need more information, please call the Business Office at , Ext Additional budget information is available at community budget meetings and on the District web site, The annual budget vote for the fiscal year by the qualified voters of the Port Jervis City School District, Orange County, New York, will be held at Port Jervis City School District Schools in said District on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., prevailing time in the Port Jervis City School District, at which the polls will be open to vote by voting machine. Polling Locations are: Port Jervis High School, Port Jervis Middle School, and Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School. For more information, call Dawn Lasch in the District Office at , Ext

3 PORT JERVIS CIT Y SCHO OL DISTRICT Budget Vote & School Board Election set for May 17 Proposed budget has NO increase to local taxation The proposed budget for Port Jervis School District delivers continued progress in student programs, enhancement in technological areas throughout the district, and provides focus for the future. The recommended budget is below the official local tax levy with a 0% increase in local taxation. If approved by voters on May 17, the $68.4 million budget would grant the district new teaching positions and support several administrative initiatives. Quality investments Included in the new positions are two elementary special education teachers, three math AIS teachers, an Instructional Technology teacher, and an Attendance/ Data teacher. One of these positions will be grant funded and a retiree position will be reassigned. On the ballot are three referendum projects. Those include the Smart Schools Bond Act, with nearly a dozen district wide technologybased projects, demolition of the Sullivan Ave. building, and the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund to address the future of the middle school building and property. SPECIAL EDITION BUDGET What s Inside 2 Three-part Budget 2-3 Referendums 4 Board CandIdates 5 District Using $1.05 Million From Fund Balance 6 Budget Notice BUDGET VOTE AT-A-GLANCE Our students are working hard to meet with success each day and to be college and career ready. The Smart Bond Schools Act, funded with over $3 million in state aid, will greatly enhance the technology infrastructure of the district. Ten laptop carts containing 250 new computers, lighting and video upgrades, and the completion of a district wide security camera and magnetic door system are proposed. The local share of this project, $750,000, comes from existing fund balance. The removal of the Sullivan Ave. building eliminates an unsustainable structure and leaves the district a clean property for future consideration. Also on the ballot is the creation of a Capital Reserve Fund to address the aging middle school. This fund is specific and measured to meet the needs of education for tomorrow. Focus for the future The budget as proposed offers a clear vision for our district. It focuses on educational improvements and providing the tools necessary to meet the challenges of our modern technological world, said board president Deborah Lasch. Proposed Budget $68,415,706 Budget Increase $2,756,071 Estimated* Tax Levy Increase 0% Also on the Ballot: BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTIONS Three seats are up for election. Each seat carries a three-year term.

4 24 PORT JERVIS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT What happens if the budget is not approved? Three-part Budget Comparison , ,715 Building Administration 3,168,326 3,485,351 Employee Benefits 1,499,389 1,444,474 TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET 5,504,664 5,799,540 Regular Instruction 17,088,456 18,222,859 Special Education 14,235,664 14,845,419 3,936,677 4,029,948 Pupil Activities 762, ,026 Transportation 3,272,487 3,302,830 Employee Benefits 11,629,475 11,985,997 TOTAL PROGRAM BUDGET 50,925,227 53,272,079 Operations & Maintenance 4,864,149 4,745,308 Debt and Legal 2,982,026 3,269,277 Employee Benefits 1,383,569 1,329,502 TOTAL CAPITAL BUDGET 9,229,744 9,344,087 65,659,635 68,415,706 Under Contingency Budget, the district would have to reduce the budget by $188,048. ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET General Support If a proposed budget is defeated by voters, Board of Education members in all New York State school districts have options for a revote or adoption of a contingency budget. Under tax levy limit law, Port Jervis Schools would eliminate equipment purchases and reduce administrative initiatives. Fees would be inacted for all community organizations who use school fields and buildings. PROGRAM BUDGET Instructional Support CAPITAL BUDGET GRAND TOTAL The proposed budget represents a 4.2% increase over last year s budget and a 0% projected increase on the tax levy. Capital Reserve Proposition The Board of Education will make a decision as to the future of the aging Middle School. Options include building a new school, renovation of the current school, or adding an addition to the existing High School. All options will involve taxpayer approval, and any plan will include a local financial share. Creation of the Capital Reserve allows the Board of Education to set aside fund balance specifically to offset the cost of this future building project. The scope of the Capital Reserve is specific to this need and comes with several guidelines. Funds may be set aside for no longer than ten years and not to exceed $10 million. All contributions to the Capital Reserve will require Board of Education action through a board resolution. After ten years, should there be excess funds in the Capital Reserve or no action taken, funds would revert back to the general operating budget.

5 BUDGET Smart Bond Capital Project New York State has allocated $3.185 million to the Port Jervis City School District for specific technology initiatives. Called the Smart Schools Bond Act, this program provides funds for educational technology and infrastructure and to improve learning and opportunity for students throughout the State. Financed through 88% state building aid, the local share of this project is $750,000, provided via the fund balance. The Smart Bond projects span the entire district. At Anna S. Kuhl Elementary (ASK), renovations will be made in the library and new audio/video upgrades in the cafetorium. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary (HBE) will have renovations to the library and similar new audio/video projector upgrades as well as new lighting in the gymnasium. New security doors with magnetic closing features will be installed at HBE. (The Route 209 ASK/High School complex had these doors installed recently). The middle school will see new smart TVs with interactive displays. At the high school, new lighting in the auditorium and gym are planned. Other upgrades are planned throughout the district. New security cameras will be installed and related technology advances will be made. Ten laptop carts containing 250 computers are included in the plan. At the Route 209 complex, repair and upgrades will be made to the aging sanitary and water lines. SMART BOND CAPITAL PROJECT Renovate Elementary Libraries District-Wide Technology Infrastructure Upgrades Sound and Projector Upgrades - elementary and high school cafeterias/auditoriums Security Camera Upgrades Middle School Smart TVs/Interactive Displays 10 Laptop Carts New Computers Upgrade security doors at HBE Repair aging water lines at ASK/High School Campus Lighting Upgrades in HBE and High School Gymnasiums Sullivan Ave. School Demolition In 2016 Easter Seals relinquished ownership and returned the title of the Sullivan Avenue property back to the Port Jervis City School District. The Sullivan Avenue building has remained unoccupied for more than ten years. The Board of Education reviewed the costs of renovation and determined that the building requires far too much repair to be a viable school. The Board of Education has proposed $353,000 to cover the cost of demolition. There will be no additional cost to the taxpayers. The fund balance will cover this expense. The Port Jervis City School District retains ownership of this property for future use.

6 BUDGET Board of Education Candidates Robert B. Witherow - Incumbent Witherow is running for his second 3-year term. He is the father of three Port Jervis graduates (class of 82, 89, 92). Witherow has over 38 years educational experience. Positions held during his career include, coach, teacher, dean of students, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of schools. He has been on various educational committees and civic organizations. PLATFORM: I believe that our foremost obligation is to provide a sound educational foundation for our students within the abilities of our school district communities to offset the cost. My goal is to prepare our students to be ready to succeed in their chosen lives beyond high school. Brian Dewey Dewey seeks his first term on the board. He is the Finance Manager at the Port Jervis Auto Mall. PLATFORM: I own two homes here in the district and would like to see if there is a way to help offset the tax burden on the general public while still giving the students the best possible education. My wife is a teacher here in the district, so I have a direct conduit to the district. My wife and I have been running a fundraiser here in town for the past 10 years so I am no stranger to giving back. I have no children of my own and I can t think of a better way to give back to the community then to serve them. Tanya Parker-Hughes Parker-Hughes, class of 1989, is running for her first term. She is the mother of two students currently enrolled in Port Jervis schools. ParkerHughes is an English Instructor at SUNY Orange. She has served on the Port Jervis school district s BEPT Committee, Safety Committee, and has been a PTA board member in the elementary and middle school. PLATFORM: I can make a positive contribution to the board. I believe in our students, and I d like our schools to do all they can to help the students reach their full potential. I simply want to be a part of helping make the best decisions for the students and taxpayers. Three of the nine seats on the Board of Education are up for election. Five district residents are running to fill these seats. Nicholas Tranchina Tranchina is seeking his first term on the board. He is the father of a first grade student currently enrolled in Port Jervis Schools. Tranchina works as an electrician at Cornwall Central Schools and owns his own business, Nicholas Electrical and Mechanical Contracting. PLATFORM: As a parent, homeowner, and local businessman, the Port Jervis area has been our home for the last fourteen years. As a board member I believe I can bring new ideas and opportunities for our students futures. I share the beliefs and values that we are one district, one mission. Earl Walker, Jr. Walker is running for his first 3-year term, having been elected or appointed three times to fill 1 year vacancies. Walker was Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs, Lederle Laboratories, for twenty years, and laboratory supervisor, Cornell University, for more than twelve years. Walker is the father of a Port Jervis graduate, Class of PLATFORM: I want to serve because I have an obligation to serve. An obligation to my community, my friends, and my fellow taxpayers. My strengths are management experience and lack of conflicts of interest. These are the strengths I will bring to bear to resolve the lack of effective leadership at Thompson Street, especially on education and personnel issues.