What follows is one man’s opinion regarding the 2014-15 Town of Webb UFSD budget, which will be voted on May 20, 2014.
My overall concern is regarding some budget and revenue numbers, and the difficulty receiving an audit trail or backup justification for these numbers.
I believe there should be a decrease in taxes of at least 1% of the 2013-14 levy after two years of unnecessary raises. The current 2014-15 levy is a 2.03% increase. Therefore, a 1% decrease from is really a 3.03% decrease from the proposed levy.
The district’s salary projections for grades 6-12 teachers total $1,342,285 in code 2110.130.
One of these teachers has their full salary of approximately $87,000 in the budget twice, thus doubling the salary expense for that teacher.
Obviously, remove one salary from the budget.
The district is budgeting all teachers’ salaries in the General Fund Budget. Approximately $100,000 of teachers’ salaries are usually paid with federal money (grants) in the Special Aid Fund. Let the federal government pay for $100,000 in teachers’ salaries, rather than the local taxpayer, and remove $100,000 from the General Fund Budget.
It was announced at the 4/1/14 board meeting that the board would cut $45,000 from the health insurance appropriation. Since the appropriation side of the budget was lowered $45,000, then the revenue side must be lowered $45,000. I thought that the proper thing to do was to lower taxes $45,000. But that is not what the board did.
The district was notified on 3/31/14 that it would receive an increase in State Aid of $54,137 for the 2014-15 school year. It is the result of a State Budget agreed upon by the Governor and the Legislature. I thought that the proper thing to do was to lower taxes $54,137, and replace the $54,137 loss in tax revenue with the $54,137 increase in State Aid. This is not what the board did.
The board decided not to use the $99,137 ($45,000 + $54,137) to reduce taxes. I believe that they put the $99,137 in a fund balance that is already in excess of the 4% law.
In addition
• One of the teachers has written a retirement letter to the board. I believe approximately $45,000, which is the difference between the retired teacher’s projected salary in 2014-15 and what a replacement would cost, can be saved.
• The district’s salary projections for K-5 teachers in 2014-15 is $579,976, but $650,000 is in the budget for a difference of $70,024.
• The projected state aid revenue listed in the budget by the district on 4/1/14 was $887,078. The 3/31/14 state aid printout from the NYS educational department was $1,000,173, which is a difference of $113,095; thus the state aid revenue is under budgeted that amount by the district.
• There are approximately 180 codes in the school budget, and I have only reviewed about 10.
The total of the above money available is $514,256 (87,000 + 100,000 + 45,000 + 54,137 + 45,000 + 70,024 + 113,095.)
After all is said, simply put, the bottom line is that there is over a half of million dollars available, and the board should be able to use approximately $168,000 (in appropriations, excess revenue or a combination of both $5,600,000 x .03 = $168,000) of the money available and decrease taxes 3.03% from the proposed 2014-15 budget, or 1% from the 2013-14 budget.
I care about the school, the staff, and the great students attending it. My suggestion is the remove money from the budget appropriations. This would not cut anything. The money I recommend removing should not be in the budget because it is not earmarked or set aside for anything, and will have no effect on the educational program or operation of an excellent school. The original purpose or reason for the appropriations is not real or valid.
I would never have suggested this if I thought it would have a negative impact on education or would hurt any employees.
The people of the community have always been loyal and supportive of the school. It is a good time for the board to say thank you to them by lowering taxes at least 1% after two years of tax increases. I believe the board has the means to do it this year.
I believe the board of education at the 4/24/14 board meeting needs to amend the budget that they approved on 4/1/14. They need to take steps to insure the taxpayers at least a 1% decrease in taxes.
I have suggested several ways or combinations as to how this can be done.
Thanks for reading,
Don Gooley Old Forge
