District Office

15 Mountain Rd.

Ravena, NY 12143 518.756.5200

Alan R. McCartney,
Interim Superintendent

orange bar bullet budget Information

Tax cap flyer
Download and print the updated "Understanding New York's Property Tax Levy Cap as it relates to public schools" [PDF]

This publication was developed cooperatively by the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service
and Questar III’s State Aid Planning
and Communications Services. For more information on New York’s
property tax levy cap, visit www.capitalregionboces.org/taxlevycap.

Latest Budget News

 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - Community vote on the proposed 2013-14 budget and election of Board of Education members

Visit the RCS Advocacy Page

Voters approve $41.2 million 2013-14 school year budget

Voters in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District approved the district’s proposed 2013-14 school year budget on Tuesday, May 21 by a margin of 73 percent to 27 percent. Jason Hyslop, Patrick Brown and James Latter were elected to the Board of Education. Thanks to all who voted. [Read More]

Budget Message from Interim Superintendent Dr. Alan McCartney

Read the budget message from Dr. McCartney here, and please voice your vote on May 21. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the High School gymnasium.

The 2013-14 budget and program

What program does the proposed budget support? What reductions have been made and how will they affect students? Answers to questions about the 2013-14 budget and program can be found here. 

The 2013-14 budget and taxes

Why are tax bills going down if the tax levy is going up? Why do tax rates vary between towns? The answer to these questions and more can be found here. 

2013-14 budget hearing

Here is the presentation from at the public hearing on the 2013-14 budget proposal (PDF). Watch the RCS budget hearing here (first 15 minutes followed by the RCS Community Library budget presentation and Meet the Board of Education candidates' forum).

2013-14 budget approved in split vote; members agree that items should be restored

The Board of Education narrowly adopted a 2013-14 budget totaling $41.242 million while members agreed that they want to offer Pre-Kindergarten bus runs in the afternoon, pay for students to take Advanced Placement exams and restore a guidance counselor. [Read More]

Board members ask administration to rework budget figures and restore programs cut over the past few years

After five years of cutting programs, Board of Education members told Interim Superintendent Alan McCartney that they want to restore some programs lost during that time and said the 2 percent tax levy increase included in the proposed 2013-14 budget before them was irresponsible and too low. [Read More]

If the tax levy increased by 3.85%, RCS tax bills would decline in September

If the proposed 2013-14 budget were approved by the Board of Education as it stands today - with no additional reductions - taxpayers in the four towns that comprise RCS would see a drop in their September tax bills of between $99 and $248 per taxpayer, depending on the town where they live. [Read More]

Understanding New York's Property Tax Levy Cap

New York's property tax levy limit is not a "2 percent tax cap." Learn the basics about this recent legislation and how it effects school budget development and your taxes in this video from Capital Region BOCES. 

If you have trouble viewing the embedded video, you can watch it here.

Legislators write to Cuomo and leaders, seek restoration of school funding

Eight area legislators, including Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk and Assemblyman Peter Lopez, signed a three-page letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders seeking restoration of education funding in the 2013-14 state budget. "These changes will help our most vulnerable students receive the educational programs they need and deserve," the letter concludes. [read the letter here - PDF] Visit the RCS Advocacy Page.

Join RCS in advocating for sufficient and equitable state education funding

Without meaningful and timely relief from our legislative leaders, RCS and public schools across the state risk losing the high quality instruction and educational opportunities they have come to know and value throughout the years. The time for change is now. RCS has joined the call to action to advocate for our schools, but our state leaders need to hear from you. Learn more and find helpful tips for becoming a powerful advocate on the RCS Advocacy Page

Stay involved with RCS 2013-14 Budget Development

We encourage our community to stay involved and throughout the budget process. Find just a few ways you can participate and stay informed here.

RCS losing millions to state's GEA reduction

About 30 Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk school stakeholders heard Interim Superintendent Alan McCartney say that something has to change - the state's "temporary" Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) has cost RCS millions of dollars since 2009 and are the major cause of proposed staff reductions in next year's school budget. [Read More]

 

Having trouble viewing the video? Watch it here. 

RCS attends advocacy forum for improved education funding

RCS administrators, Board of Education trustees, teachers, staff, parents and community members, were among the more than 1,300 people who filled Columbia High School's auditorium on Jan. 31 for an unprecedented forum to address the fiscal crisis facing New York schools. [Read More]

Board of Education begins 2013-14 budget review

(Jan. 8, 2013) The Board of Education tonight began its review of the 2013-14 budget with the operations and maintenance and technology portions of the budget.

 

2013-14 Budget Presentations

· · · · ·

2012-13 Budget Archives

2012-2013 Budget News Archives

2012-2013 Budget Presentation Archives

2011-12 Budget Archives

2011-2012 Budget News Archives

2011-2012 Budget Presentation Archives



photo of kids
photoshadow

header bar MORE Info

2013-14 Budget Information

2013-14 Budget Calendar [PDF]

May 2013 Budget Newsletter [PDF]

Full 2013-14 Proposed Budget [PDF]

· · · · ·

 

Community voting will be held on Tuesday, May 21 at RCS High School, Route 9W, Ravena. Residents will see four proposals on the ballot:

 

1. The proposed 2013-14 budget. The Board of Education is developing the budget. Review the complete budget documents.

 

2. A bus purchase proposal totaling a maximum of $306,260.The district plans to purchase two medium-size buses (42-seat) with cameras at an estimated cost not to exceed $226,260 and a 2-3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban (7 seat) at an estimated cost not to exceed $80,000.

 

3. Establish a capital reserve fundfor the purpose of paying the future costs for renovation, reconstruction, construction and improvements to district buildings and facilities. This fund would be used to pay for future expenditures and would require voter approval before money is withdrawn for any expenditures. The fund's maximum limit is $5 million. District officials would add money to the fund over the next 10 years with the goal of building it up so it could be used for major improvements.

 

4. Election of three Board of Education members for three-year terms each. The seats are now held by Judy Sylvester, John Vadney, and James Latter. Board of Education members are unpaid.

Six candidates have filed petitions to seek three seats on the Board of Education. A Meet the Candidates Night will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at the high school auditorium.

 

What is the GEA?

Since 2010, the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) has cost RCS $11.651 million, including the proposed $2.82 million GEA reduction in the upcoming 2013-14 school year.

Here is a video about the GEA developed by the Superintendent's Joint Legislative Committee from the Capital Region BOCES and QUESTAR III BOCES - http://vimeo.com/60567776

 

Tax Levy Cap video

Here is a video about the intricacies of the Property Tax Levy Cap in NYS developed by the Capital Region BOCES. It is posted on YouTube.

Here is a PDF brochure about the tax levy cap. This publication was developed cooperatively by the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service
and Questar III’s State Aid Planning
and Communications Services.

· · · · ·

 

2012-13 Budget Information

Information about the 2012-13 budget development process

 

General Budget Information

Absentee Ballot information

 

Glossary of Budget Terms

 

STAR program information

 

Contact Your Elected Leaders [PDF]

 

Voter Eligibility

You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years old or older and a resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to the vote.