Elwood board sets 2.64% tax-levy for June 17 revote after budget failed in May

The Elwood Union Free School District Board of Education voted on June 2 to submit a revised $78,566,259 budget with a 2.64% tax-levy increase to voters in a revote scheduled for June 17, after a May 20 proposal with a 4.2% levy failed to reach the 60% approval required to exceed the statutory tax cap.

The budget matters because, if the 2.64% proposition fails, state rules would require the board to adopt a contingent budget that would limit the tax levy to the statutory cap (1.29%) and force an estimated $2.2 million in further cuts. "If the proposed budget does not meet the board approval, the Board of Education must adopt a contingent budget," the district presenter said during the meeting. The board also directed the assistant superintendent for business to submit the property tax report card to the State Education Department following the vote.

The administration described a multi-step reduction process that has already reduced spending by about $1.9 million from the original 4.2% proposal. "We are recommending a budget that would include a tax levy of 2.64%," the district presenter said, summarizing the administration's recommended revision. The $1.9 million of reductions combines earlier cuts (about $414,000 identified in February–March), additional reductions of roughly $690,000 included in the 4.2% package, and a further…