Schools prepare for annual budget vote

District 13
Proposed budget: $49,841,963
Total budget change: +$1,595,041
Tax levy: $35,479,114
Tax levy change: +$582,769

Tax impact: The district estimates the average homeowner would pay $41 more in taxes next year, and with the high school taxes, this number increases to $94.
About the budget: The proposed budget would expand the district’s Chromebook initiative to the third grade. It also allocates funds to install rubber matting on the playgrounds and to renovate the schools. The majority of the increase is the result of contractual agreements.
State and federal aid: The district is expected to receive $11,368,374 in state and federal aid for the 2017-18 school year — an increase of $786,140.
Voting information: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all District 13 schools.

District 24
Proposed budget: $27,653,316
Total budget change: +$532,529
Tax levy: $20,125,513
Tax levy change: +$160,376
Tax impact: The district estimates the average homeowner would see their tax bill increase by $20 next. The total increase, when combined with high school taxes, is about $44.
About the budget: The proposed budget maintains all programs and adds a new math textbook as well as a new technology director to guide the expansion of technology instruction in the classrooms and be a resource for teachers when devices malfunction. The budget also includes upgrades to the schools’ technology infrastructure, including new cables and faster Internet access. According to the district newsletter, the district is also planning to provide more students with tablets. Nothing was cut from the budget.
State aid: District 24 is slated to receive $6,187,966 from New York state for the 2017-18 school year. This is an increase from the current budget by $25,117.
Voting information: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Corona Avenue Firehouse, William L. Buck School, Brooklyn Avenue School and Robert W. Carbonaro School.

District 30
Proposed budget: $34,823,824
Total budget change: +$407,764
Tax levy: $19,556,827
Tax levy change: -$3,497,203
Tax impact: Because of uncertainties surrounding the Green Acres Mall tax breaks, Christopher Dillon, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, said “there is no way to predict the average increase and/or decrease, as we don’t know if the mall is going back on the tax rolls or will continue to pay a PILOT payment, based on the PILOT revoking laws.”
About the budget: The proposed budget would enable the district to complete its 1-to-1-device initiative that would provide every student in the district with an iPad or Chromebook to help the district replace outdated technologies. Other increases for the budget arise from an increase in utility prices and an increase in employee benefits.
State aid: District 30 is slated to receive $7,713,259 from New York state for the 2017-18 school year. This is an increase of $246,554 over the current year.
Voting information: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the elementary schools.

Central High School District
Proposed budget: $113,429,221
Total budget change: $2,218,196
Tax levy: $81,168,511
Tax levy change: +$1,096,326
Tax impact: The average homeowner would pay $53 more in high school taxes in District 13, $24 more in District 24 and $42 more in District 30.
About the budget: The budget calls for a new English as a New Language teacher, a new speech pathologist and athletics trainers at the high schools. The district will also increase security for open-campus high schools. The district would also add a nurse and implement an Advanced Placement Capstone program. All programs would be maintained, and nothing would be cut.
State aid: The high school district is expected to receive $21,595,718 from New York state for the 2017-18 school year. This is an increase of $1,623,892.
Voting information: Vote for the Central High School District budget when you vote for your elementary school district budget.