Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Taconic Hills board approves $27.3 million budget after debate over levy rate
Summary
The Taconic Hills Central School District board approved a $27,303,836 budget and set the tax levy after discussion of options ranging from a 2% increase to a 3.25% increase; the board also approved a personnel slate including three substitute teachers.
The Taconic Hills Central School District board approved a $27,303,836 budget and moved forward with a district tax levy after members debated rate options on the agenda.
The Chair opened the tax-levy discussion and said staff had prepared additional levy-rate options for the board to consider. A committee member praised district staff, saying, "To only have a less than 2% budget increase given the insurance increases that you have, salary and benefits, I think that's amazing," and recommended a 2% levy increase to align the levy with the budget.
Other board members argued for higher levy options. The Chair said a 3.0083 rate is preferable because of the tax-base factor that will be used in next year's calculations; another member raised 3.25 as an option to position the district for continued insurance cost increases. One committee member argued the district should "take every single dollar you can take," saying that maximizing revenue would help preserve teachers and programs.
After discussion, the Chair called the motion and the board moved forward with the budget figure of $27,303,836; the transcript records the Chair calling for "all in favor" and confirming the figure. The transcript does not include detailed roll-call vote tallies.
The board also approved the personnel agenda, which included the hiring of three substitute teachers. The motion on the personnel slate was associated with Margaret and Joe in the transcript and was recorded as approved.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn and a note that a brief presentation would follow.
Votes at a glance: Approved ' Budget/adopted levy: $27,303,836 (motion and tally not broken into roll-call in the transcript). Approved ' Personnel agenda: three substitute teachers (mover/second in transcript: Margaret; Joe).
