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The Lansing Board of Education unanimously approved a $28,370,000 budget Monday for the 2015-16 school year.  The budget keeps the tax levy within parameters for the State Tax Cap, and administrators say that property taxpayers in Lansing will qualify for a rebate ion the difference between this year's and next year's tax for the second year in a row.

The Board was presented with two versions of the budget.  The first proposal would have been for a $28,320,000 budget, representing an overall 1.8% rise in spending.  The budget that was passed included an additional $50,000 for new program additions, that bring the change from last year to 1.98%.  Administrators are saying that while the additions will cost much more, the impact to the budget is only $50,000 because of retirements and other 'drop-offs' in current program positions.

Program additions the Board approved are:

• 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher – Direct result of increased enrollment in Grade 3 specifically.
• .5 FTE Social Worker TST BOCES
• .5 FTE Special Education Teacher
• Teaching Assistant shifting to a Teacher Position at ES – Student Support Service Provider or Intervention Specialist
• Teacher on Special Assignment (AD/ Dean of Students) – Shifting a teacher position back to an administrative position. This will allow the district to fulfill its need to have a Director of Physical Education and meet our student and athletic needs.

This year's allowed rise in the tax cap levy for Lansing is 3.92 %.  The budget represents a 3.90% rise.  School officials estimate that will mean a 2.89% rise in the tax rate.  The impact is expected to be $122 for owners of a home valued at $200,000, which will be refunded by the state.

The state refund applies to the difference between the new tax bill and that of the previous year.  In a way it defers tax rises by one year, as the new rebate will not include last year's tax rise.  Not all taxpayers qualify for the rebate.

The impact on taxpayers would be the same for either budget proposal.  The extra money for the version approved Monday is being covered by applying $440,000 of appropriated fund balance dollars, instead of the $390,000 the lower cost budget would have applied.

The budget must be approved by district voters in May.

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