NEW BERLIN – The Unadilla Valley Central School District held its annual Budget Hearing Monday night, the proposed $20,132,967 budget for the 2013-2014 school year refecting a 2.31 percent increase - or $455,223 - from the current year’s spending plan and resulting in a 1.19 percent tax levy increase if approved by voters on May 21.
For the owner of a home valued at $100,000 on the STAR Program, the proposed levy increase would result in an estimated tax increase of $12 for the year.
Superintendent Robert Mackey laid out the differences in next year’s proposed budget as compared to previous years and noted the proposed budget’s tax levy increase is lower than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the third year in a row.
Added Mackey, who said the district has been responsive to decreasing enrollment figures, “We can’t guarantee it will always be there, but it is a good trend line.”
One resident in attendance was vocal during the hearing, stating his concerns regarding reduced enrollment. He stated that enrollment since last year decreased seven percent and that staff was not reduced proportionately. If staff was reduced in conjunction with enrollment decline, he said, eleven positions should have been cut.
Mackey and BOE President Sandra Cooper went on to explain that it is not always “black and white,” and there are gray areas in relation to the issue. Some students require one-on-one aides, positions which cannot be cut, said Mackey.
Mackey stated that a large part of the budget is staffing and employee benefits. He explained a law passed in Albany stating an employee with ten years of service in a tier four or below no longer has to make the employee contribution of three percent - resulting in increased costs for the district.
According to Mackey, the cost of health insurance has gone up 28 percent since 2007-2008, and staff has been reduced nearly 23 percent since that time. The amount in the budget designated for employee health and dental benefits is $3,402,094. Mackey attested that UV has one of the most conservative health and dental packages in the area.
Despite reductions in staff and other efforts to control cost, the UV Board of Education has maintained its focus on enhancing educational opportunities for students. And while Driver’s Ed is no longer offered throughout the school year, it is still available for students to participate during the summer. In addition, the district has expanded its concurrent enrollment courses and dual credit offerings with local colleges for UV’s high school students.
“We are ahead of schedule with the plan for students to be able to complete a two-year general studies degree while in high school,” said Mackey.
School safety was a clear focus during Monday’s budget hearing. After the shooting in Connecticut last December, UV has taken an active role in ensuring the safety of all students, staff, and volunteers.
Mackey explained the 2013-2014 $100,000 capital project that would enhance school security. Last year, a buzzer system was installed, as well as cameras at the three main entrances. This year, the money would be used to install wiring, hardware, and computer technology for the 40 video cameras included in the safety proposition.
If there is enough remaining money after that, it could be used to expand additional electronic access doors throughout the building.
The state will pay for approximately 90 percent of the program utilizing building aid due to the fact that UV is a rural, high-needs school district. The remaining 10 percent would be covered by debt service, costing the taxpayers zero, according to Mackey.
Residents of the district will have the opportunity to vote on a school safety proposition on May 21, as well. It is proposed to bring back a School Resource Officer - in conjuction with the Town of New Berlin. This would be an armed, retired police officer, and according to Mackey there have been discussions of possible candidates for the job - one of which has previously served as a School Resource Officer for 12 years.
Mackey explained a $30,000 salary cap for retirees, which is a small price for security. The School Resource Officer would work full-time at the school and would be an integrated part of the school community. The officer would be able to respond quickly and appropriately if needed, as compared to an estimated 15 minute response time from local authorities if an emergency were to occur.
“It’s worth asking taxpayers ...” said Mackey, who went on to explain the School Resource Officer could also be in attendance for events such as the prom, to deter drunk driving and poor decision-making. “Do you want to support that?”
The safety proposition also includes the purchase and installation of about 40 video cameras inside and outside the school. NYS will refund 100 percent of the cost of the cameras and installation if the cost of each does not exceed $2,000, which - according to Mackey - it shouldn’t.
Voters also will be able to weigh in on a bus proposition that would begin to move the district from purchasing buses to leasing. The district would lease four or five buses per year, and each bus would be with the district for five years - covered by warranty the entire time.
The bus proposition would reduce labor, employee, and maintenence costs, and the buses would be more fuel efficient. The district would lease four buses this year, and within five years, the entire fleet will be turned over.
“Every single bus in our fleet will be under warranty,” he added.
Two propositions will be up for vote regarding the budgets of the New Berlin Library and the South New Berlin Free Library.
An opportunity to vote for Board of Education candidates take place during the budget vote as well. Board of Education member Brian Burchill is not running for re-election this year after 14 years of service on the board.
Kristin L. Rumovicz, a 1999 UVCS Alum, is up for re-election. She has lived in the district her whole life, and stated that her husband is a graduate of UV, and their children will be future graduates. Rumovicz believes in the positive impact a good education can make on the youth of the community.
William E. King Sr. has lived in New Berlin with his family since 1973. He and his wife have two grown children who graduated from UV and three of his grandchildren are current UV students. King worked with Preferred Mutual for 28 years and served 13 years as a volunteer fireman with the New Berlin Fire Department, as well as numerous other volunteer endeavors. He believes the school’s budget should meet the educational needs of the students while also being sensitive to local taxpayers.
There will be a Fine Arts Showcase the day of the budget vote, as well as a 4-H Club Dinner.
Voting on the budget, propositions, and board members will take place from noon until 8 p.m. on May 21 in the school district lobby at 4238 State Highway 8 in New Berlin. US citizens aged 18 or older who have been district residents for at least 30 days are permitted to vote and identification/proof of residency may be required.