Oxford budget shows 4.9 percent tax levy increase
OXFORD – The Oxford Academy school board released its 2007-2008 budget Thursday, asking for a 4.54 percent raise in spending and estimates the tax levy to increase by 4.9 percent. The total of the school budget is $16,465,186.
Last year, the district’s budget was $15,749,431 and was passed by a vote of 290-76. That budget asked for an increase of 8.58 percent in expenditures and a 2.5 percent tax levy increase.
Since 1998, the Oxford school budget has had an average annual increase of 6.2 percent and an average tax levy increase of 5.45 percent. However, the finances of the school district were changed greatly from their typical expenditures because in this time period, Oxford organized the construction of a new high school in 2002. This caused abnormal spending patterns in the year before the project and in the years after.
Superintendent Randy Squier said the district was able to save money because both energy and health care costs were lower than expected. Oxford will also be decreasing its staff by one and a half teachers and one teacher’s aide. Another factor in lowering costs was the fact that there were many new administrators who had lower salary costs than their predecessors, who retired or left. Oxford has also been working closely with BOCES to make its paper copies. “Normally each copy cost the district three cents, but when we go through them (BOCES), it only cost us half a cent,” said Squier.
Oxford also plans to increase the number of college courses it can offer to its students. “If approved, incoming freshmen in the next school year could graduate with as many as 25 college credits,” said Squier.
Oxford and many other districts in New York also lost about 3 percent in state aid from 2006, said Squire. “That may not sound like a lot, but when you consider just how big a part they offer, it has a big effect. We couldn’t operate without the state,” said Squier.
“I invite anyone with concerns over the budget or anything else within the district to please call my office and respectfully discuss their issue,” said Squire. To contact the Oxford superintendent’s office, call 843-2025, extension 4041.
Oxford will vote on its budget next Tuesday from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Oxford High School. Citizens will also vote on three propositions.
The first proposition includes a request to purchase two 30-passenger school buses, one 72-passenger bus and a maintenance truck with a snow plow.
The second proposition is a $99,999 request for a capital project. The money would be used for repair, construction and equipment. Also the money would be used for Oxford to hire a private engineering firm to come in and evaluate the Middle School building. In the past, Oxford has received about 92 percent reimbursement from the federal government on such projects but did not make a request for one last year, said Squier.
The district is required to have a professional firm examine its buildings every few years; however this evaluation would be different because while also fulfilling the state mandate, the firm has also been asked to offer its advice on what could ultimately be the fate of the Oxford Middle School, based on its cost, safety and architectural condition.
The last proposition would approve appropriations increased for the Oxford Memorial Library by $4,507 per year, so that the total library budget would be $119,352.
Last year, the district’s budget was $15,749,431 and was passed by a vote of 290-76. That budget asked for an increase of 8.58 percent in expenditures and a 2.5 percent tax levy increase.
Since 1998, the Oxford school budget has had an average annual increase of 6.2 percent and an average tax levy increase of 5.45 percent. However, the finances of the school district were changed greatly from their typical expenditures because in this time period, Oxford organized the construction of a new high school in 2002. This caused abnormal spending patterns in the year before the project and in the years after.
Superintendent Randy Squier said the district was able to save money because both energy and health care costs were lower than expected. Oxford will also be decreasing its staff by one and a half teachers and one teacher’s aide. Another factor in lowering costs was the fact that there were many new administrators who had lower salary costs than their predecessors, who retired or left. Oxford has also been working closely with BOCES to make its paper copies. “Normally each copy cost the district three cents, but when we go through them (BOCES), it only cost us half a cent,” said Squier.
Oxford also plans to increase the number of college courses it can offer to its students. “If approved, incoming freshmen in the next school year could graduate with as many as 25 college credits,” said Squier.
Oxford and many other districts in New York also lost about 3 percent in state aid from 2006, said Squire. “That may not sound like a lot, but when you consider just how big a part they offer, it has a big effect. We couldn’t operate without the state,” said Squier.
“I invite anyone with concerns over the budget or anything else within the district to please call my office and respectfully discuss their issue,” said Squire. To contact the Oxford superintendent’s office, call 843-2025, extension 4041.
Oxford will vote on its budget next Tuesday from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Oxford High School. Citizens will also vote on three propositions.
The first proposition includes a request to purchase two 30-passenger school buses, one 72-passenger bus and a maintenance truck with a snow plow.
The second proposition is a $99,999 request for a capital project. The money would be used for repair, construction and equipment. Also the money would be used for Oxford to hire a private engineering firm to come in and evaluate the Middle School building. In the past, Oxford has received about 92 percent reimbursement from the federal government on such projects but did not make a request for one last year, said Squier.
The district is required to have a professional firm examine its buildings every few years; however this evaluation would be different because while also fulfilling the state mandate, the firm has also been asked to offer its advice on what could ultimately be the fate of the Oxford Middle School, based on its cost, safety and architectural condition.
The last proposition would approve appropriations increased for the Oxford Memorial Library by $4,507 per year, so that the total library budget would be $119,352.
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