From the OA Superintendent

Developing a budget for a school district is a daunting task. Each year, those involved face competing needs to maintain or improve quality programs while at the same time holding the line on increases in spending. Presenting an acceptable budget to district residents is one of the main concerns of the Board of Education. The fact that relative to other districts our size in the State our per pupil costs have remained in the lowest quarter reflects this concern over unnecessary spending increases. This year OA was faced with an additional challenge, to build a reasonable budget while knowing that the loss of taxes from a major industry would increase everyone's taxes.

In approaching the budget this year, we employed some of our time-tested techniques. An invitation was extended community-wide for interested residents tojoin in an advisory capacity and participate on the Citizens Budget Advisory committee. It is always instructive to hear perspectives on school spending from the "man and woman in the street". This year was no exception. The BAC met on six separate evenings and reviewed every section of the budget. The eight committee members asked specific questions and even gave us "homework" to complete for the next meeting. In the end, the consensus of the committee was that our spending plan showed no "abnormality and/or increase in the budget that was not fully understood" by them.

We've also tried to keep residents informed as the process moved along. Three interim reports, in the form of pamphlets, were mailed to every household in the school district. Each dealt with a different aspect to the budget process. We have received some informal positive feedback indicating that our residents found these flyers to be informative.

The results of our efforts are that:

All existing programs will remain in the proposed budget. After-school busing, which was added as a result of a petition signed by dozens of residents, will continue. In addition, two new modified soccer teams have been added to address the growing interest among our students in participating in interscholastic sports programs.

The proposed budget of $23,663,551 is an increase of $808,346 over last year. This is the smallest increase in the last three (3) years as well as the smallest percent increase (3.54%) in the last fifteen (15) years

Due to some increase in state aid and a favorable fund balance, we have been able to hold the tax levy flat. In other words, despite the growth in the budget, we will be raising exactly the same amount of tax revenue from the local taxpayer as we raised last year. Increases in taxes will be the result of changes in equalization rates and in the value of individual properties.

The Budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 1998. Voters throughout the state will be voting on their local school budgets on that date. We will also hold two public budget hearings on Monday, May 4 at Apalachin Elementary School and Wednesday, May 6 at OFA. We hope you will attend one of these important meetings, listen to a detailed presentation of the budget and ask any question that you might have. Then I hope you will plan to vote on May 19th. A favorable response will ensure a continuation of a high quality educational program in our community.

Dr. Edward J. Reid
Superintendent
Owego Apalachin School District