2013-14 Salmon River Budget

On Tuesday, May 21, 2013, District residents will go to the polls to vote on a proposed $29 million budget for the 2013-14 school year. In light of increasing obstacles, the Board has developed an educationally and fiscally responsible budget, working very hard to maintain current staffing levels through a combination of reasonable tax increases with responsible use of fund balance. During these tough fiscal times we have had to be creative and find ways to cut costs without cutting staff and maintaining all programs.

The 2013-14 tax levy increase is 2%, which remains below the NYS Tax Levy Cap. The Board did not follow the tax levy cap which would have been 11.37%. The Board understands that with the uncontrollable increases in the health insurance and retirement costs it is necessary to increase the tax levy. Therefore, the levy will only increase by 2%, not 11.37%, and the balance will come from the District’s reserves.

The District is extremely mindful of the responsibility to provide an educational program that meets the needs of our students and is affordable. Throughout the budget process, we sought to identify reductions that would maximize the time and skills of our staff and allow us to sustain the caliber and breadth of learning opportunities we currently offer. We recognize the limit of the fiscal resources of our community, as well as NYS. It is a tribute to the efforts of the Board of Education, administrators, teachers and staff, that we have been able to preserve educational programs for students.

We are very proud of the academic rigor of our programs and will continue to challenge our top students with honors and advanced placement courses. We are also extremely proud of all our athletes’ accomplishments, not only for their skill and ability, but also their sportsmanship and commitment to academics. We would like to congratulate Girls Volleyball and Girls Basketball who won Section X championships this year.

Go Shamrocks!!