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Superintendent urges board to consider tax-cap levy to sustain programs as state aid lags
Summary
Superintendent presented the draft budget, said state foundation aid is roughly 2%, outlined levy scenarios (3%–6.86%) with revenue estimates and urged the board to use available levy capacity to maintain programs and staff.
The superintendent (S2) outlined the draft budget and urged the board to consider using the district's tax-cap capacity to preserve programs that support students, citing constrained state foundation aid. "With that slide right there is severe depression... Oswego County is 12.6," S2 said while linking student mental-health indicators to the need for program continuity.
S2 presented scenario figures for possible levy increases and associated revenue estimates: a 3% levy would raise about $962,244; 4% about $1,282,009.33; 5% about $1,603,007.43; 6% about $1,924,004.88; and the tax-cap example of 6.86% would bring approximately $2,200,104. He said the district had gone two years without raising taxes using COVID-related funds and that current foundation aid increases (about 2%) do not keep pace with inflation and contractual cost increases. "If the district went out with a 3% increase, that would be $40 for a $100,000 house," S2 said, illustrating homeowner impact alongside revenue benefits.
S2 also reviewed expenditure drivers, including projected 6% health-insurance increases and significant debt-service related to capital projects. He recommended board members review the posted line-item packet and said the board aims to adopt a budget at the April meeting pending questions and follow-up.
