Hilton Central School District Budget Development for the 2010-11 School Year

BUDGET DEVELOPMENT  Budget Committees and administrative cabinet meetings begin discussion and budget preparation in the fall. Members of the community, administrators, teachers and staff serve on Budget Committees; proposals are due Feb. 1 in the Business Office/Budget Director. The public budget vote and board election is May 18, 2010.  In addition to the vote on the budget proposal, there will be three, three-year positions on the ballot for the Board of Education. The positions of current board members Michelle Ames, Steve Beauvais, Barbara Cutrona expire this year. To become a Board Candidate: nominating petitions may be filed with the Board Clerk April 19, 2010 at 5 pm. Qualifications to become a candidate for the board are: a district resident for at least one year prior to the election and a qualified voter (age 18).  Nominating petitions are obtained from the District Clerk, District Offices, in the West Avenue Building, 225 West Ave., Hilton. For further information, Hilton Board Clerk is Patricia Unterborn: 585-392-1000 ext. 7099.  Monroe County School Boards Association Prospective Candidate Seminar April 3, 2010

February 10, 2010  SUPERINTENDENT DAVID DIMBLEBY ON GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL  "Governor Patterson’s proposed state budget that was unveiled in January has created one of the most challenging budget seasons in decades. The proposed state budget recommends the reduction of $3.2 million in state aid to the Hilton Central School District; a 10% aid reduction.  The potential loss of state aid is twice the amount proposed last year at this time. To put this into perspective, if we roll over the current budget and include anticipated increases in health care, retirement, BOCES and contractual obligations and apply the proposed state aid reduction, the result will be a 17.69% increase in the local property tax rate. Clearly this is an unacceptable level for the district and community to consider and cause for concern.  We have never experienced a reduction in state aid of this magnitude. Following discussions with the Board of Education, leadership team and bargaining unit leaders, we have implemented a number of mid-year cuts in 2009-10 to reduce our current level of spending and better prepare ourselves for an uncertain future. As we look to 2010-11, we again are examining all areas budgeted areas including non-staff codes, personnel and programmatic expenditures in an effort to reduce costs and develop a responsible school budget.  Our district budget committees, school leaders and Board of Education are considering all options as we develop next year’s budget that will be put before the voters on Tuesday, May 18.  If the governor’s proposed budget is enacted or the state fails to approve an on-time budget by April 1, this district will be forced to make some difficult and painful decisions that will adversely impact employees, the organization and our community.  I have been addressing staff at meetings recently to provide some details and answer questions on the subject. If you have comments or ideas on the district’s budget during the development phase, I encourage you to contact the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent for Business or a budget committee representative.  I also want to encourage every employee to take responsibility for reducing costs or increasing efficiency in your area of responsibility." -- Superintendent David Dimbleby, Superintendent's Page 

BUDGET CALENDAR 2010 includes public participation on Budget Development Committees, public hearings and public discussions at the regular Board of Education meetings, presentations for civic groups as well as a budget newsletter mailed to all district residents.

• Committee budget proposals due Feb. 1, 2010

• Board reviews rollover budget Jan. 26, 2010 - Regular Board of Education Meeting 7 pm District Offices

• Board reviews debt service and BOCES budget Feb. 9, 2010 - Regular Board of Education Meeting 7 pm District Offices

• Board review of benefits, salary and budget Feb. 23, 2010 - Regular Board of Education Meeting 7 pm District Offices

• Board review first draft of the budget Mar. 9, 2010 - Regular Board of Education Meeting 7 pm District Offices

• Board continues review first draft of the budget Mar. 23, 2010 - Regular Board of Education Meeting 7 pm District Offices

• Board adoption of budget proposal expected April 13, 2010 - Regular Board of Education Meeting 7 pm District Offices

• Return Board of Education petitions to District Clerk by 5 pm April 19, 2010 - District Offices, 225 West Ave., Hilton

  Board adoption of BOCES budget expected April 27, 2010 - Regular Board of Education Meeting 7 pm District Offices

• Budget Insight mailed May 10, 2010

• Public Hearing on Budget May 11, 2010 - Board of Education Meeting 7 pm District Offices

• Budget Vote & Board Election May 18, 2010

Frequently Asked Questions       ASK A FURTHER QUESTION:  Assistant Superintendent for Business Steven Ayers

What are the factors impacting development of the proposed 2010-11 budget?   A national recession and a State budget crisis are major factors in the development of the Hilton School District's 2010-11 budget.  Utility costs, potential changes in state aid allocations or reductions, contractual obligations, BOCES' charges, retirement costs, and health costs are priority items under consideration.  New York State has been particularly hard hit by the recession and faces a budget deficit.  Federal support to public schools through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [federal stimulus] is specifically-targeted funding within each school district.  

How are school taxes determined?    School tax is computed using the school tax levy, property assessment and equalization rates. The Hilton Central School District uses property values provided by the four towns in the school district – Parma, Greece, Clarkson and Hamlin – to levy taxes. Each property within a town is assigned a value by the town assessor. The New York State Office of Real Property Services evaluates each town’s assessment practices and sets specific equalization rates to ensure a fair tax burden distribution across the district.

How does an increase in property assessment affect school taxes?   School taxes are based on the school tax levy, property assessments, and equalization rates. The only factor within the district’s control is the school tax levy [local share], which is the total dollar amount collected from property owners to support school district operations. The tax levy  is the total amount of tax dollars needed to make projected revenues equal to projected expenses. The tax rate is computed by dividing the tax levy – the total tax dollars needed – by the total value of all properties [assessments] that make up the school district’s tax base. The tax levy is shared on a proportionate basis by all taxpayers based on the assessed value of their property. If a property assessment goes up, school taxes may or may not increase. For example, if the assessment increases on the same percentage basis that it does for all other property owners in town, and all other factors remain unchanged, the school tax bill would not change. This is because the tax burden still is being distributed equitably among all property owners.  However, if your property assessment has increased at a higher percentage than other properties in town, your tax burden also will increase. In some instances, a particular neighborhood’s property assessments will change more significantly than other properties throughout town. The town is solely responsible for determining property assessments. If you have questions about your property assessment, please contact the town assessor. If you have questions about the school tax levy – the total dollars needed from property owners to support the operation of the school district – please contact Hilton CSD Business Office at 585-392-1000 ext. 7034/7097.

How is the contingency budget determined?   The amount of a contingency budget is dictated by a formula provided by the New York State Education Department. The State stipulates the maximum amount that a contingency budget can be, but in the event voters do not approve a proposed budget, the board would not be obligated to adopt the highest dollar amount allowed by the contingent budget. The school district is required to calculate the contingency budget information and to share it with the public via the Budget Notice included in the Budget Insight mailed to all district homes in the week preceding the vote.  Core educational services continued to be provided with a contingency budget, but in the event of a budget defeat, law provides that no equipment purchases beyond State-mandated limits and no community use of facilities without user fees be instituted.  The District is obligated to honor all of the contracts as well as provide sports and transportation in the same manner as in prior years.

What measures are being used to control cost?  The school district has explored cost-saving measures in recent years. To reduce heating costs, we have turned back thermostats in all district buildings as well as many other energy-savings measures.  For more: Monroe County School Boards Cost Efficiencies in School Districts   "The Best for Less" Video from Monroe County School Boards

How has the county sales tax settlement impacted the budget?  The Hilton School District was affected by Monroe County's sales tax intercept which resulted in a 50 percent reduction in sales tax revenue when instituted in October 2007. To cover an increasing Medicaid burden, county government withheld money from school districts, altering a long-standing state law outlining the sharing of sales tax revenue.  After a legal challenge by local school districts, Monroe County withdrew its plan in July 2008.  A repayment agreement is in place, but the entire sum of money due the district won't be repaid for five years. The payment of withheld funds from the County will continue this year.

 For the 2009-10 school year, what are the taxes on a house assessed at $100,000 in Parma?  Actual Tax on Full Assessment: $2,238.00.  Tax with  Basic STAR [$30,000]: $1,566.60.  Tax with Enhanced STAR [$50,000]: $1,119.00.  STAR - NYS School Tax Relief Program - for further information contact each Town's Assessor's Office. 

Voting Information/Absentee Ballots   You must be a registered voter to vote in Hilton School District Annual Budget Vote and Board Election.  Voter registration is required. Residents wishing to vote in the Hilton School District Budget Vote and Board Election are required to be registered voters with the Monroe County Board of Elections [having voted in any general election within the past four years at your current address] or registered with the District. To register with the district please call the District Clerk at 585-392-1000 ext. 7099.  No proof of residency is required at the time of the vote.   Absentee ballots are available for registered voters who are unable to appear at the Budget Vote due to vacation outside the county, hospitalization, illness or other qualifying circumstances. Qualified voters may request an application for an absentee ballot at the District Clerk's Office at the West Avenue Building, 225 West Ave., Hilton Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter. Completed applications are examined and reviewed by the District Clerk. Residents whose application forms are approved will receive an absentee ballot. Returns of completed ballots in person must be at the District Clerk’s office no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.  For absentee ballot or district voter registration, please call District Clerk Patricia Unterborn at 585-392-1000 ext. 7099.   Polling locations:  There are two polling locations open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.  All residents of the town of Greece vote at the Northwood Elementary School, 433 No. Greece Rd. only.  All Parma, Hamlin and Clarkson residents vote at Hilton High School, 400 East Ave. Hilton. No proof of residency is required. You must be a registered voter with Monroe County Board of Elections or registered with the District.  VOTING REQUIREMENTS.  For further information, call 585-392-1000 ext. 7099.

BUDGET RESULTS 2009  Hilton Central School District’s Budget Vote was held Tuesday, May 19, 2009.  Voters in the Hilton Central School District approved the $68.5 million Budget by a vote of 869 – 321 on May 19, 2009 at the annual Budget Vote and Board Election. The $650,000 bus purchase proposition was also passed by a vote of 817 – 347.   Incumbents returned to Board of Education for three-year terms were: Daniel Wellington with 945 votes, current Board President, and Robert Prorok with 892 votes. The Budget Insight May 2009 was mailed to all households in the district.  TAX RATES SET FOR 2009-10 

BUDGET RESULTS 2008   Budget passes 992-580; Bus Purchase passes 970-578 - May 20, 2008 Vote.  Residents of the Hilton Central School District passed the District’s 2008-09 $66.7 million budget by a vote of 992-580. One additional proposition also passed: a $814,000 school bus purchase proposition by a vote of 970-578.  Two, three-year positions on the Board of Education were decided.  Returned to the Board were incumbents Aggie Seneway by a vote of 1,245 and Tim Gagnon by a vote of 1,203.The Hilton Board of Education had voted April 8, 2008 to adopt the $66,664,457 Budget Proposal for the 2008-09 school year reflecting an estimated decrease of 0.13% in the local tax rate. Annual Budget Notice: Budget Insight May 2008  mailed to all households in the Hilton Central School District.  Board sets tax rates for 2008-09