VOTERS TO DECIDE ON PROPOSED $40 MILLION SCHOOL BUDGET
HSC Board of Education meeting tonight at 9:30pm
Voters are deciding today on a budget and three propositions at the Hornell High School from 12noon-9pm. At 9:30pm, the Board of Education will be to conduct some normal business and receive the election results. Below is the review of the ballot before district voters today from the Hornellcityschools.com:
On Tuesday, May 17, Hornell City School District voters will decide on a $40,039,187 proposed budget for the 2022-23 school year. The plan increases spending by $195,609 or 0.49% from the current year, and includes a 1.34% tax levy increase.
This is below Hornell’s maximum allowable tax levy increase as determined by the state’s tax levy “cap” formula and as such, the proposal only needs to be approved by a simple majority (50 percent plus one) of voters. This is the ninth consecutive year the district has budgeted below its maximum allowable tax levy growth cap.
Superintendent Jeremy Palotti said, “Our district-wide goal is to support, enhance and maintain our programs while being fiscally responsible to our community. I believe that this budget will enable the district to do just that.”
Vote location
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Noon – 9 p.m.
at HORNELL HIGH SCHOOL
134 Seneca Road, Hornell, NY 14843
Also on the ballot
Residents will also decide on four additional propositions on May 17 and elect one candidate to the Board of Education for a five-year term.
Proposition 2: Expenditure from School Bus Reserve Fund
In 2012, the community voted to establish a School Bus Reserve Fund to be used for student transportation vehicles. The district is seeking voter approval to use part of those funds ($75,000) for new vehicles to be obtained prior to June 30, 2024.
Proposition 3: Lease of district vehicles
The district is seeking voter approval to lease three, 66 passenger school buses for five years. The amount of these vehicles is not to exceed the estimated maximum cost of $360,000.
Proposition 4: Renewal of School Bus Reserve Fund
The district will be seeking voter approval to renew the School Bus Reserve Fund for the purpose of financing the future purchase and/or lease of student transportation vehicles and equipment. The term of the fund will not exceed 10 years and would not be greater than $1,000,000 plus interest.
Proposition 5: Capital Improvements Reserve Fund
The district hopes to establish a Capital Improvements Reserve Fund to be used for the purpose of funding the construction, reconstruction, addition to, renovation, alteration and improvement of the district’s buildings, facilities, grounds and other furnishings. The amount of the fund would not be greater than $10,000,000 plus interest for a term not to exceed 10 years.
Capital Outlay Project
Other long-term budgeting plans include the continued appropriation of general funds for capital outlay projects addressing general maintenance needs. For the 2022-23 school year, the district proposes allocating funds for general maintenance and sitework to the Junior-Senior High School. This includes exterior facade, Main Office security/functionality and elevator replacement.
State aid and federal funding
The restoration of Foundation Aid provides our district with funding that has been previously withheld over the past several years. When Foundation Aid was first implemented in 2007-08, it was supposed to be phased-in over four years, with full funding being provided at the time. Over time, that effort stalled, in part due to the Great Recession and resulting state aid cutbacks. Even in years when Foundation Aid increased, it was often not enough to keep pace with the level needed for full funding. The restoration of these funds will be a benefit to our budget in the coming years. For the 2022-23 school year, the district will receive a 3% increase in foundation funding.
