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Veterans ask Victor board to adopt 100% school‑tax exemption; board offers meeting to review data
Summary
Multiple veterans and supporters urged the Victor Central School District board to adopt a 100% veterans property‑tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans, citing roughly 337 veterans in the district and an estimated fiscal impact of about $1.6 million; the board offered a follow‑up meeting with finance staff.
During public participation on March 11, several veterans and community members urged the Victor Central School District board to adopt the property‑tax exemption options available under New York law, including a full exemption for veterans rated 100% disabled.
Jonathan Prader, who identified himself as a veteran and led a group that attended the meeting, asked the board to adopt a local exemption that reflects community values and supports veterans. "You could choose to grant full exemption to all veterans who are rated at 100% disabled... If every one of them received a full exemption, the total impact of the school budget would be just over $1.6 million spread across roughly 15,000 to 15,900 residents," Prader said. He framed the impact as modest for taxpayers but meaningful to recipients, saying the cost would be "roughly $6 a month."
Other commenters — including William Carr and Ralph (DJ) Moore — described their service and urged the board to "lead the way" in Ontario County by adopting a local exemption. The veterans group signaled its intention to continue attending meetings until the board acts.
Board response: The chair and superintendent offered to convene a meeting with Mr. Prader, Superintendent Dr. Teranova and Assistant Superintendent Christine Griffin to review the data and discuss options. "Please reach out — we will start with Mr. Prader and he can decide who else to join for a meeting with Dr. Teranova and Christine Griffin," the chair said.
What the public record shows: Presenters noted that 22 states have adopted similar exemptions and that the governor recently signed legislation making full exemption mandatory for 100% disabled veterans statewide (as stated by the public commenter). The board did not take formal action on the exemption at the March 11 meeting; it offered a follow‑up meeting to examine fiscal implications and options.
Ending: The board said staff will reach out to schedule the meeting to review the financial and legal implications before any vote or formal policy change.
