Residents in the Mohonasen Central School District are being asked to support a $46.4 million spending plan for 2014-15 that raises taxes 3.43 percent and maintains all programs.
The budget, which has been approved by the school board, increases spending by 2.27 percent and calls for the elimination of 8.6 full-time positions.
Residents will have one last chance to weigh in on the spending plan before the May 20 vote. A budget hearing is set for 6 this evening at the Farnsworth Technology Center at Mohonasen High School. The budget hearing will be followed by a chance to meet the three school board candidates who are running for two seats.
The tax increase is right at the school district’s state-imposed tax cap. It would bring the property tax rate, which is currently $16.41 per $1,000 assessed value, up to $16.98. A homeowner would pay about $86 more in school taxes on a home assessed at $150,000.
The district started the budget process with a $1.58 million gap between expected revenue and anticipated expenses due to spending increases over which it had no control, in areas such as health insurance, retirement contributions and salaries.
Residents will also vote on a proposition to purchase three full-sized 66-passenger buses at a total cost of $336,000. Of that amount, 70.7 percent would be reimbursed by the state, and the district would pay $98,448.
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