Public hearing on the $41.9 million proposed
2008-09 school year budget for RCS is Monday

The public hearing on the proposed 2008-09 school year budget for the RCS School District will take place Monday, starting at 7 p.m. in the high school library media center.

All residents are encouraged to attend the hearing and to ask any questions they may have about the proposed spending plan, which would increase spending by 2.17 percent. The proposed spending increase is the lowest in years.

The proposed budget would increase the district’s tax levy by 2.64 percent, which would represent the lowest increase in the past five fears. Projected tentative tax rates would be as follows under the budget proposal:

• Coeymans - $17.29 per $1,000 assessed property value, up 2.17%

• Bethlehem -  $18.66, up 1.91% 

• New Baltimore - $26.85, up 2.31%

• New Scotland - $18.16, up 1.91%

The district-wide budget vote and election of school board members will take place May 20, 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. in the high school.

The budget seeks to address the needs of students through several measures, while also addressing the needs of property taxpayers, said Superintendent Vicki Wright.

More than $800,000 in expenses in the current year’s budget has been cut from the proposed spending plan, including $101,000 in natural gas and electricity costs as a result of energy conservation initiatives.

However, the budget also reflects the reality of the skyrocketing costs of fuel and other necessities.

The proposed 2008-09 school year budget includes a $309,000 increase – up to $589,750 – in funding for fuel to keep the fleet of 55 buses on its daily appointed rounds. The latest increase is more than the total fuel budget for the 2003-04 school year when RCS spent $110,000.

Health insurance is another budget impactor, with the district budgeting for a $111,210 increase in health insurance costs next year, up to $3.37 million, said Interim Business Administrator Dennis Geisler.

Passage of the budget on May 20 would also fund:

·         The purchase of new computers to replace outdated computers, as well as adaptive technology to further the education provided to RCS’ disabled students.

·         Expansion of Project Lead the Way into eighth grade.

·         Increased textbook purchases to address new state mandates in math and the needs of elementary students.

·         Creation of a summer reading program for elementary school students identified as in need of services so that their skills don’t regress during the summer months.

·         The purchase of a necessary, two-way radio communication system for buses to replace the system BOCES will no longer provide,

·         The placement of an additional student in the innovation Tech Valley High School.

The budget also proposes $20,000 to purchase a state audit-mandated inventory control system.

Anyone with questions on the budget proposal is encouraged to contact Communications Coordinator Mike McCagg at 756-5200, ext. 6017 or by emailing mmccagg@rcscsd.org.