Chenango Valley Central School District May/Budget 2013 Vol. 6 Issue 8 Publication of the Board of Education

Chenango Valley Central School DistrictMay/Budget 2013

Warriorpride

2013-14

Budget Edition

VOTE May 21, 2013

12 - 9 p.m.

High School Main Lobby

Working with our families

connecting with our community

Chenango Valley Schools

AT A GLANCE:•Proposed tax levy increase: 2.13%

•Allowable tax levy increase: 6%•After overcollection reduction: -1.08%

•Budget increase: 3.02%•No staff/program cuts

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Message from the Board of Education President and the Interim Superintendent

We are pleased to present you with the 2013-14 Chenango Valley Central School District budget proposal. Over the past several years, school districts statewide have been impacted by unfunded mandates, gap elimination adjustments, tax levy limits, escalating costs, and so forth. While these factors are significant, it is important that we remain positive about our future and focused on the reason we’re here: our students. All students deserve a high-quality education that ensures they are college and career ready. At Chenango Valley, our consistently high test scores and graduation rates reflect a commitment to providing students with the education they deserve. Our mission is to “provide the best possible educational opportunities that promote maximum learning potential for personal growth and social responsibility.”

In developing the budget, we used this mission as our guide, while giving careful consideration to all stakeholders. Our plan allows us to keep the current level of staffing in place for next year to help maintain instructional integrity and effectiveness. No cuts to programs or extra-curricular activities are proposed. The plan also provides for an increase in the use of instructional technology, particularly through our 9th and 10th grade iPad program scheduled to begin in the fall.

The budget includes smaller capital projects that allow us to take advantage of significant state reimbursements to be received in the following year. This means we’ll be able to complete approximately $100,000 in capital projects at a final cost of about $17,100. (See article, next page.)

The tax levy limit law enacted last year by New York State (commonly misrepresented as a tax “cap”) requires districts to apply an eight-step formula to determine the highest allowable levy increase a district can propose that will require approval of a simple majority (more than 50 percent) of voters. If districts choose to propose a tax levy increase above this calculated amount, a “super majority” of more than 60 percent of voters must approve the plan.

Chenango Valley’s allowable tax levy limit for 2013-14 is 6%. Although the district had the option to increase the tax levy by that amount, which would require a simple majority approval, we chose to hold our increase to 2.13%.

We invite all residents to attend the annual budget hearing, to be held Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. in the CV Middle School cafeteria. The district budget vote and school board elections will be held Tuesday, May 21, from noon to 9 p.m. at the CV Middle/High School auditorium lobby.

Please review the enclosed information that includes the 2013-14 budget presented in three components, information on the bus purchase proposition, an update on the consolidation study and statements from our three board of education candidates. For more detailed budget information, please visit our website: www.cvcsd.stier.org.

If you have questions, we encourage you to contact: Interim Superintendent David Gill at 762-6810, dgill@cvcsd.stier.org, or School Business Executive Beth Donahue at 762-6813, edonahue@cvcsd.stier.org.

David Gill Interim Superintendent

Gerald Abbey Board President

Gerald AbbeyBoard of Education PresidentChenango Valley Central School District

David GillInterim SuperintendentChenango Valley Central School District

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The district is proposing to take advantage of a New York State Department of Education program that will reimburse a significant portion of school district capital project expenditures up to $100,000. This means that much-needed building repairs can be accomplished at a greatly reduced cost to local taxpayers.

The state offers school building aid reimbursement for smaller capital projects (up to $100,000 each year) according to the individual school district’s building aid ratio. Based on Chenango Valley’s current building aid ratio of 82.9%, if the district completes $100,000 in capital projects, it will be reimbursed $82,900 the following year. The aid received on a project next year can be used to offset the cost of a project the following year, creating a cycle of mini-projects primarily funded by building aid. It’s an efficient, cost-effective way to keep our buildings and facilities in good working order. There are several maintainance issues identified in our 2010 Building Condition Survery that have yet to be addressed because of reductions to our operations and maintenance budget. The highest priorty projects are at Chenango Bridge Elementary: replacing the cooling tower unit, replacing the hot water distribution system and re-paving the bus loop. The cost of these three projects is approximately $100,000; the net cost after building aid reimbursement is approximately $17,100. It is important to note that these projects would be necessary regardless of the possible consolidation with Chenango Forks.

Capitalizing on NYS Building Aid $100,000 in improvements nets $82,900 reimbursement

Consolidation study update The Merger Feasibility Advisory Committee has been meeting since January to study the feasibility of a merger of the Chenango Forks and Chenango Valley School districts that would begin on July 1, 2014. In the meetings to date, the committee has analyzed information on enrollments and projected enrollments, instructional programs, interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities, school district facilities, staffing, transportation and finance.

Among the findings to date:

Information from the committee meetings has been posted on the CV and CF websites. The websites also include frequently asked questions and an online question/comment form.

A draft report of the committee’s findings and recommendations will be completed in July and sent to the New York State Education Department for review. If approved by the state, several public comment meetings will be held. Both boards of education would vote, and must approve the merger plan before it is presented to district residents. Residents would vote on the merger, and this vote must pass in both districts in order for the merger to occur.

•Enrollments are projected to be stable over the next ten years.

•The merged district would have an excess capacity of 1289 pupil spaces. If the merger is approved, the recommendation to close Port Dickinson Elementary School in the years following merger would be made to the new board of education.

•The committee has indicated a preference for the merged high school to be located at the current Chenango Valley HS/MS, with the merged middle school/district office to be located at Chenango Forks HS/MS.

•The instructional program in a merged district would provide course offerings similar to existing programs, with the probability of stabilizing the elective offerings in grades 9-12, starting foreign language instruction in grade 7 rather than grade 8, and offering three foreign languages.

•The interscholastic athletic program for the merged district would have teams in the same sports now offered. Fewer students would be able to participate, because the merged school district would have fewer teams in each sport. (For example, there would be one varsity football team instead of two.)

•Teaching staff has been reduced in recent years. The committee will complete its assessment of staffing to insure that sufficient staff would be available to meet the needs of the merged district’s instructional program.

•The school day would start with high school and middle school at about the same time (7:30 a.m.) and elementary schools one hour later. Dismissal would occur in the same order.

•There are differences in contract salary and benefits that currently exist between the two districts. New contracts would need to be negotiated to address those differences.

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Jason Aurelio Greetings! My name is Jason Aurelio and I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Board of Education.

I graduated from Chenango Valley in 2006 and then went on to attend Broome Community College to study business administration. I then transferred to Binghamton University, where I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in business

management and strategic consulting. Currently, I am employed as an executive team leader for Target.

So, you may ask, why run for the board of education now? Well, the main reason is because I want to give back to the community that has given me so much. I have achieved the American Dream, which would not have been possible without my upbringing in this great community. I attribute this success to my work ethic and common sense that were instilled upon me by my parents and teachers. After high school, I put myself through college by working as a full time supervisor for FedEx Freight. Once I obtained my Bachelor’s degree, I decided to pursue a career with Target as the executive team leader of assets protection. After all of this, I married my high school sweetheart this past October and settled down in Hillcrest, where I myself grew up.

The other reason for running for the Board is that my passion for management, strategic consulting, and team leadership has been piqued by the fascinating challenge of supporting Chenango Valley’s vision for academic excellence. My education, interpersonal talents, and practical experience are only the beginning of what I can offer Chenango Valley.

In addition to these skills, I also bring a fresh and innovative perspective to the table, which is supported by the knowledge of a long time Broome County resident and local government leadership with the Town of Chenango. I want to contribute to the future of Chenango Valley School District, especially in this time of financial cuts and consolidation talks.

Given the opportunity, I am confident that I have the abilities to work in conjunction with the board, the administration, and the district community to help develop a strong academic repertoire while keeping the utmost consideration on the economical sustainability of Chenango Valley Schools and its taxpayers. Allow me to represent you, the people of Chenango Valley School District, and be your voice for the next five years.

Board Candidate Voters will be asked to consider a proposition to purchase five (5) buses for the district fleet: three (3) 66-passenger buses at a cost not to exceed $108,000 each, and two (2) 35-passenger buses at a cost not to exceed $65,000 each. The total cost of the buses will not exceed $454,000.

The need for new buses Chenango Valley maintains a fleet of 31 buses. Our buses are normally replaced after approximately 10-12 years and have been driven 100,000 to 120,000 miles. Our goal is to meet the New York State guidelines, which recommend replacing all larger buses every ten years. This helps keep the cost of repairs down, especially since the buses are out of warranty after ten years. It also helps to ensure that our students are being transported in safe, reliable vehicles. Why are new buses needed if the district might consolidate with Chenango Forks? Based on information from the consolidation study, it has been determined that should the districts merge, there would be no reduction in the number of buses needed by either school district.

The cost of bus acquisitionTotal cost (with interest): $494,860 to be paid over five years State aid (76.5%): $378,568 reimbursed over five years Total cost to taxpayers: $116,292 spread over five yearsAnnual cost to taxpayers: $23,258

Average cost per household = $3.51 per year*

*based on a property value of $100,000 The exact amount of the cost to each individual taxpayer depends on the property’s assessed value, equalization rates established by the towns, and participation in STAR.

Did You Know?

• Our buses traveled a total of 316,500 miles during the 2011-12 school year

• The buses make approximately 2,520 stops each day

• Drivers are required to be certified with a CDL class B license with passenger and school bus endorsements; They are also required to have annual physicals, submit to random drug and alcohol testing, complete refresher training biannually and pass road tests every other year.

• Each bus goes through a 200-point Department of Transportation inspection twice each year. Our DOT approval rate in 2011-12 was 96.6%. (A rating of 90% or higher is considered excellent.)

Bus Purchase Propositiontwo seats open each for five-year terms: July 1, 2013-June 30, 2018

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Stuart Elliott I am seeking my second term on the board. I have lived in the CV district since 1966. I grew up in Hillcrest on Chenango Street where my retired parents still live. I currently live in Chenango Bridge with my wife, Patricia, and four children. I have a B.A. from SUNY-Binghamton and a Masters Degree in Education from the College of William & Mary.

The entire Elliott Family understands and respects the value of education in general and a CV education in particular. My oldest daughter, Abbie, used the solid foundation of a CV education to graduate with honors this May from Binghamton University. As of June, she will serve in the “Teach For America” program. Hannah, Ethan, and Gracie all currently walk the hallways of CV schools. They are all active participants who enthusiasti-cally contribute whatever skills they may possess to the greater success of Warrior athletic teams, musical groups, and service organizations. As a board member, I’m fully engaged in the life of the school community. You’ve seen me at every kind of school event, athletic contest, concert, play, etc. I take a keen interest in all aspects of school operations. Whether it’s keeping a scorebook for a soccer team, working in the concession stand, timing races at a track meet or video recording a band concert, I’m serious about pitching in and helping out. Over the last five years, I’m pleased to have contributed to upgrades in our Newscaster and website. For example, by next September, we should have a user friendly “Data Dashboard” up and running so district residents can track CV’s performance on state-wide exams. Finally, upon my election in 2008, I advocated dropping the old single business administrator model and instead joining the Central Business Office (CBO) at BOCES. Today, CV and ten other area school districts have merged their financial resources to use the internal controls and buying power of the CBO. Although not perfect, our partnership with the CBO was absolutely essen-tial in repairing our tattered financial situation of five years ago. Looking to the future, we all have big decisions to make. Will a merger with CF save the taxpayers money? Will it improve academic performance? What can we do to deliver the most value for residents’ tax dollars? Within the next five years , with your vote, I would like to devote my time, energy, and efforts to answering those questions. Thank you.

two seats open each for five-year terms: July 1, 2013-June 30, 2018

Steven Randall Hi, my name is Steve Randall and I am running for my second term on the Chenango Valley school board.

I have lived in the CV district since 1962, graduating in the class of 1975. I grew up in Port Crane, and now make my home in Port Dickinson with my wife and two chil-dren. I graduated from Broome Commu-nity College with my Associates degree,

and from Southampton College with my B.A. degree.

I worked for Broome County Social Services for 30 years, and re-tired in October. I am employed by Hunter College as a part-time consultant, providing training for caseworkers and supervisors.

As a member of the board since 2008, I have been involved in a number of exciting opportunities for the district and our community. There was the sale of the Henry Galloway building, which brought needed revenue into the district. I am also proud that after many, many years of talk we were able to purchase the depot property for future development. I believe in consensus building as the best way to arrive at decisions that will ultimately benefit both our students and the community. That being said, I am not afraid to speak my mind and am willing to stand up for what I believe is a better solution to certain circumstances. I insisted that the board add an appeal process to the athletic code of conduct, instead of disciplinary decisions being made at the sole discretion of the athletic direc-tor. I also initiated the change of having the financial portion of board meetings being the first item of business rather than at the very end of the night. We as a community again face many challenges, not the least of which is the possibility of a merger. I ask you to allow me to con-tinue to represent our community, our children and our schools.

Board Candidate Board Candidatetwo seats open each for five-year terms: July 1, 2013-June 30, 2018

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Administrative ComponentFunction/Account 2012-2013

Approved Budget2013-2014

Proposed BudgetDifference

Board of Education $41,167 $41,197 $30

District Administration $344,526 $333,985 ($10,540)

Business Office & Finance $579,312 $591,626 $12,314

Central Services $407,638 $423,459 $15,821

Supervision/Curriculum Dev. $615,134 $692,783 $77,649

Employee Benefits $792,216 $918,458 $126,242

Total Administrative Component $2,779,993 $3,001,509 $221,516

Capital ComponentFunction/Account 2012-2013

Approved Budget2013-2014

Proposed BudgetDifference

Operations & Maintenance $2,208,499 $2,041,458 ($167,041)

Debt Service $3,284,757 $3,204,809 ($79,948)

Employee Benefits $725,730 $800,415 $74,685

Refund of Taxes $7,500 $7,500 -

Interfund Transfer to Capital - $100,000 $100,000

Total Capital Component $6,226,487 $6,154,182 ($72,305)

Program ComponentFunction/Account 2012-2013

Approved Budget2013-2014

Proposed BudgetDifference

Teaching - Regular School $8,464,803 $8,276,738 ($188,065)

Instruction - Special Programs $3,096,748 $3,248,825 $152,078

Instructional Media $1,378,452 $1,423,908 $45,457

Pupil Personnel Services $979,853 $1,035,237 $55,383

Co-curricular & Athletics $521,078 $514,957 ($6,121)

Transportation $1,013,492 $989,713 ($23,779)

Interfund Transfer Special Aid & Cafe Funds $18,500 20,500 2,000

Community Services $7,300 $7,300 -

Employee Benefits $7,846,312 $8,635,786 $789,474

Total Administrative Component $23,326,537 $24,152,964 $826,427

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Estimated RevenuesCategory 2012-2013

Budgeted Revenue2013-2014

Proposed RevenueDifference

Tax Levy $18,187,668 $18,574,237* $386,569

State Aid $12,235,329 $12,879,660 $644,332

Other Revenue $876,220 $920,957 $44,737

Appropriated Fund Balance $450,000 $450,000 -

Appropriated Reserves $583,800 $483,800 ($100,000)

Total Revenue $32,333,016 $33,308,654 $975,638

*2012 School tax overcollectionAs reported last fall, a tax rate miscalculation resulted in an excess of taxes collected in 2012 for the CV district. In accordance with NYS education law, the excess amount, $293,251, was placed in a separate interest-bearing account. This amount, plus interest, will be used to reduce the tax levy for the district in the 2013 tax collection. As a result, the overall tax levy for 2013 (after the reduction) will be less than what was actually collected (including the overcollection) last year. This is effectively a 1.08% reduction in the tax levy. Your tax bill insert will reflect the tax rate before and after the application of the overcollection.

The chart above shows the Chenango Valley Central School District’s average budget and tax levy increases over the past ten years, com-pared with the budget and tax levy increase proposed for the 2013-14 school year.

The 10-year average budget increase is 3.97%, compared to the 2013-14 proposed budget increase of 3.02%. The 10-year average tax levy increase is 5.71%, compared to the 2013-14 proposed increase of 2.13%.

Budget & tax levy increases: 10-year average vs. 2013-14 projected increases

Budget breakdown: Administrative, capital & program

2013-14 proposed tax levy................................................$18,574,237Reduced by amount of overcollection + interest...........$293,583Actual 2013-14 tax levy to be collected.......................$18,280,654

Believe It! Achieve It!

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 237

Binghamton, NY

ChenangoValley CSD221 Chenango Bridge Rd.Binghamton, NY 13901

Directory Website ................................................ www.cvcsd.stier.orgCV School District Main Number .................... 762-6800Board of EducationGerald G. Abbey Jr. ................................................ 722-5474James DeGennaro ................................................. 773-8078Stuart W. Elliott ....................................................... 648-6061John Hussar...............................................................773-8196 Terrence M. Kane ................................................... 648-4499Lynn M. Kaufman ................................................... 221-6240Steve Randall .......................................................... 724-4823Eric Rifenbury .......................................................... 348-4294Maureen A. Roberts .............................................. 724-3621

Interim Superintendent of SchoolsDavid Gill .................................................................. 762-6810

Interim Assistant Superintendent of SchoolsMary Beth Hammond .......................................... 762-6811

District ClerkSusan Cirba ........................................................... 762-6812

Offices

Athletics ................................................................. 762-6904Food Service ......................................................... 762-6840Guidance ................................................................ 762-6918Special Education Department ..................... 762-6830Transportation Department ........................... 762-6850

Schools

Port Dickinson...................................................... 762-6970 Attendance ....................................................... 762-6977 Health Office ..................................................... 762-6976Chenango Bridge ................................................ 762-6950 Attendance ....................................................... 762-6954 Health Office ..................................................... 762-6952Middle School ...................................................... 762-6902 Attendance ....................................................... 762-6931 Health Office ..................................................... 762-6911 Homework Hotline – Grey ........................... 762-6870 Homework Hotline – Red ............................. 762-6872High School .......................................................... 762-6900 Attendance ....................................................... 762-6931 Health Office ..................................................... 762-6911

Polling location (for all voters) Chenango Valley High School Main Lobby (by auditorium)

On the ballotCV voters will decide on:• 2013 - 2014 proposed budget• two seats on the board of education• bus purchase proposition

Voter eligibilityTo vote, you must be:• 18 years of age or older• a U.S. citizen• a resident of the school district for at

least 30 days (proof of residency is required: NYS driver’s license, sheriff’s ID card, senior citizen ID card or utility bill indicating residency)

What if the budget doesn’t pass?The board of education will either: (1) make changes to the budget and hold a second vote; or (2) adopt a contingency budget. If a contingency budget is adopted, all equipment purchases would be eliminated and other cuts would be made to remove $386,569 from the budget and arrive at a 0% tax levy increase.

More information: District Office - 221 Chenango Bridge Rd. Website - www.cvcsd.stier.orgInterim Superintendent David Gill: 762-6810; dgill@cvcsd.stier.org School Business Executive Beth Donahue: 762-6813; edonahue@cvcsd.stier.org

Absentee ballotsAbsentee ballots may be obtained through District Clerk Susan Cirba, 762-6812. Absentee voters must verify voter eligibility and provide an eligible reason for their inability to vote in person. If the absentee ballot will be mailed to the district, it must be received by the clerk at least seven days prior to the vote. If the ballot will be hand-delivered, it must be received by the day before the vote.

The district will automatically mail absen-tee ballots to voters listed as “Permanently Disabled” on the Board of Elections regis-tration list. For more information on ab-sentee ballots, please call Susan Cirba at 762-6812.

Budget Hearing May 13, 2013 - 7 p.m.

Middle School Cafeteria