NEW BERLIN – Superintendent Robert Mackey presented preliminary budget figures to the community Wednesday night at Unadilla Valley Central School.

The 2012-2013 budget will see an increase of 3.54 percent from last year to $20,118,352. The board of education will vote on the budget as well as a proposed tax levy increase on Monday, April 16.

The district has not increased the tax levy for the last two years, causing concern among taxpayers that they might see a double-digit bump this year. However, Mackey assured the public that the board had focused on maintaining a low figure and proposed a 4.25 percent increase.

Mackey said the increase in the budget is primarily due to a $2 million decrease in state aid and federal stimulus.

To balance that loss, Mackey said the school eliminated more than 40 teaching and support staff positions over the last two years. A number of programs and extra-curricular activities have also been cut to ensure a balanced budget.