- By Dan Veaner
- News
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"We had significant savings in energy costs this year," she said. "It's been a really soft winter. We had that happen in the 2011-12 school year as well."
There was also a significant reduction in undistributed expenditures this year, 7.58% less than last year. That includes health insurance costs.
"Based on our trending analysis the net is almost a break-even, budget to budget," King said. "We do have some significant reductions in TRS, as those rates continue to be decreased by the State. And significantly we had a reduction in our debt service. We replaced some of that debt, but not all of it, because we don't have state aid flowing to replace all of that debt. So it didn't make sense."
She added that the administration intends to continue to use consolidated services from TST BOCES, saying that the BOCES staff is very responsive to its client districts, and that the savings to taxpayers is noteworthy.
The state's tax levy cap calculation would have allowed the district to collect $17,112,286 in property taxes. The levy approved by the Board is $17,111,495, 0.38% above last year's levy. PILOT (Payment iIn Lieu Of taxes) revenue will be down by 1.23% this year. But state aid is projected at $8,240,798, 0.31 higher than the current year's aid.
King noted that most of the GEA (Gap Elimination Adjustment) money is being restored in this year's state budget. The district stood to lose $300,000 in aid next year, but both the State Senate and Assembly passed bills calling for its restoration. King said that all but about $27,000 is being restored, and that amount may also be restored. If that happens, the tax rate could see a further reduction before the school tax is levied this summer.
The largest increases are in the General Support category, including salaries and operation of plant. The instructional category will see a 2.38% rise. The Transportation budget actually decreased because the district secured a favorable fixed rate for the coming year. Salaries and benefits amoount to about $19,436,400, just over 69% of the entire budget.
"It's related to the people that are here," King said. "Making the place safe for the children, educating the children, and doing all the things that are the reason that we are here."
District voters will have a chance to approve the budget in May. Three school board members will also be elected in that vote. School Board President Christine Iacobucci will run for another term. Linda Pasto's term, that she is filling for Karen Mcgreevey, who resigned when her family moved away from lansing, is up. Tom Robinson, who is also moving away from Lansing, will resign his position in May, in time for it to be included in the election.
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