Press Release
June 2, 2005
The Grand Island Board of Education has decided to place a new budget, which does not raise the tax rate, before the voters later this month. This decision was reached after the Board listened to a presentation by district administrators about budget scenarios and possible cuts. The presentation was followed by a period of public comment, where 22 speakers addressed the Board. Most urged the Board to draft a new budget that maintained strong academic, music, art, and sports programs but did not raise taxes. The Board then went to work, cutting $392,619 from the budget that was rejected by the voters on May 17. Dave Goris, Board President, stated, “The amended budget preserves most of what the community values – academics, low K-4 class sizes, sports, music, and art – while giving those who addressed the Board on Tuesday what they asked for – no tax increase.” A list of the cuts that were made is found below.
School Bus
Proposition – No Tax Increase
The Board also decided to resubmit the original proposition for bus replacements to the voters. The proposition asks voters to approve the purchase of 5 full size busses and 2 small busses capable of accommodating students needing wheelchairs. The total amount of the proposition is $594,500 but state aid will cover 66.2% of the cost. Because an earlier 5-year loan for the purchase of busses will be retired this year, the purchase of these replacement busses will not raise taxes. Jack Burns, the District’s Transportation Supervisor, commented that if the proposition is rejected for a second time, the District will need to lease some replacement vehicles and that leasing is more expensive than purchasing the same busses.
Voting will take place on Tuesday, June 28, 8 a.m.-9:00 p.m. in the High School gymnasium.
|
BUDGET
CUTS FOR REVOTE |
|
|
May 31,
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQUIPMENT |
$
111,431.00 |
|
RETIREMENT
SAVINGS |
$
63,268.00 |
|
FIELD
TRIPS – SCHOOL BASED |
$
12,500.00 |
|
MAIL
CARRIER - RED. HOURS |
$
12,820.00 |
|
4
CLEANERS |
$
80,000.00 |
|
NURSE TO
HALF-TIME |
$
14,100.00 |
|
TRAVEL
AND CONFERENCE |
$
12,500.00 |
|
BOCES –
STAFF DEVELOPMENT |
$
23,000.00 |
|
MUSIC
SUPPLIES |
$
10,000.00 |
|
ATHLETICS/INTRAMURALS |
$
25,000.00 |
|
COMMUNICATION
BUDGET |
$
5,000.00 |
|
BOCES
SPEECH REDUCED |
$
23,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
CUTS |
$
392,619.00 |
|
|
|
|
BUDGET
TOTAL FOR REVOTE |
$ 42,764,295.00 |