2022 Budget Newsletter - May 2022
Document Highlights Include:
The World Comes to Letchworth:
Letchworth hosts 2 AFS exchange student
(Chiara & Benji)
Congratulations Mr. Bean
Art Show - May 17, 2022
Superintendent's Message (Page 2):
- COVID Subsiding
- Positive Climate at school
- Mr. Bean Retires
- Mrs. Webster new Elementary principal
- Budget includes SRO Officer
- new Ag Barn
Budget (Page 3):
Proposed 2022 - 2023: $ 22,483,944 (+3.54%)
Tax Cap:
New York State has instituted a tax levy limit, commonly referred to as a “cap”, that provides a state formula to establish a levy limit that determines if a simple majority or a super (60%) majority will be required for passage. The levy limit for Letchworth this year was calculated to be 3.48%. Since the proposed levy increase for this year is 1.9% (or $72,387 below the cap), a simple majority will be required for passage.
Tax Levy:
The proposed expenditure plan of $22,483,944 is partially funded by a tax levy of $4,670,098. This is a 1.9 percent increase in the levy from last year. To calculate the tax rate for each of the nine towns within the District, both the assessed values and the equalization rates are used. Final assessments and equalization rates will not be available until August. The graph to the right displays historical information on the true value tax rate in the district with a projected rate for 2022‐23. Under this proposed budget the tax rate on true value is estimated to increase to $12.22 per thousand.
Budget Breakdown (Page 4 - 5)
General Support: $ 3,310,931.15 (+5.47%)
Instruction: $ 10,269,632.74 (+3.53%)
Transportation: $ 2,181,228.63 (+11.48%)
Community Service: $ 6,565.20 (-12.46%)
Employee Benefits: $ 5,295,713.28 (+8.84%)
Debt Service: $ 1,093,873 (-8.19%)
Interfund Transfer: $ 326,000 (-48.69%)
General Fund: $22,483,944 (+3.54%)
2022 CANDIDATES FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION
(In alphabetical order by last name) - Page 6
Merritt (Pete) Brought IV
Scott Kemp
Shane Scott
Nick Youngers
BOARD OF EDUCATION - YOU MAY VOTE FOR ANY THREE (3) CANDIDATES. There are three vacancies for the Board for three year terms (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025). The candidates who receive a plurality of the votes cast respectively for the three offices are to be declared elected. Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. (Page 7)
PROPOSED ANNUAL SCHOOL BUDGET FOR 2022-2023
Proposition 1 - Budget $22,483,944.00 The Board of Education of the Letchworth Central School District shall be authorized to expend the sum set forth in the proposed budget for the 2022-23 school year in the amount of $22,483,944.00 and to levy the necessary tax therefore.
Proposition 2 – Establish a Capital Reserve Fund Be it resolved that the Board of Education of the Letchworth Central School District is hereby authorized to establish a Capital Reserve Fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law (to be known as the “2022 Building Capital Reserve Fund”), with the purpose of such fund being to finance site work, construction or reconstruction and equipping of school buildings and facilities that would be eligible for financing under the Local Finance Law, and costs incidental thereto, the ultimate amount of such fund to be $4,000,000, plus earnings thereon, the probable term of such fund to be 10 years, but such fund shall continue in existence until liquidated in accordance with the Education Law or until the funds are exhausted, and the sources from which the funds shall be obtained for such Reserve are (i) amounts from budgetary appropriations from time to time, and (ii) unappropriated fund balance made available by the Board of Education from time to time, and (iii) New York State Aid received and made available by the Board of Education from time to time, all as permitted by law.
Proposition 3 - Library Funding (as received from the libraries) Shall the amount of funds raised by taxation to support the four public libraries in the Letchworth Central School District be increased from $208,442.58 to $212,611.43 the increased amount to be distributed as followed: $34,018.00 to the Eagle Free Library, Bliss; $72,287.20 to the Cordelia A. Greene Library, Castile; $63,783.74 to the Gainesville Public Library, Silver Springs; and $42,522.49 to the Pike Library Association, Pike?
Qualifications of a voter:
- United States Citizen
- Eighteen years of age or older
- Resident of the School District for 30 days prior to voting
ABSENTEE BALLOTS (Page 7-8)
The option of using an absentee ballot is available for the school district annual budget vote. To obtain an absentee ballot, you must be a qualified voter of the school district and be unable to personally appear to vote. One of the following qualifications must apply:
a) a patient in a hospital, or unable due to illness or physical disability;
b) out of town because of duties, occupation, business or studies - you must provide a description of duties or special circumstances;
c) on vacation outside the district - you must provide dates of beginning & ending of vacation, where you will be, name & address of employer, or statement of self-employment, or a statement of retirement;
d) in jail - affidavit must state if detained awaiting action of grand jury or confined after conviction for a non-felony. Qualified voter spouse, parent, or child is also entitled to vote as absentee if expected to be absent from the district accompanying an absentee ballot applicant upon personally making and signing an application based on the above reasons.
e) voters who do not wish to appear at the polling place due to the potential of contracting or spreading COVID-19. The application must be received by the clerk at least 7 days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if it is to be delivered personally to the voter. All completed absentee ballots must be received no later than 5:00 PM on the day of the election. (Tuesday, May 17, 2022) Qualified voters may pick up applications at the District Office at Letchworth Central School during regular business hours. You may request an application be sent to you by contacting the District Clerk, in writing at 5550 School Rd., Gainesville, NY 14066, or by phone at 493-5450.
PUBLIC HEARING Monday, May 9, 2022 @ 7:30 PM The annual school district Public Hearing will be held at Letchworth Central School in Room 304 at 7:30 PM for the purpose of reviewing the 2022-2023 school budget and to meet the candidates.
VOTE/ELECT BOARD MEMBERS Tuesday, May 17, 2022 Noon to 9:00 PM The polls will be open in the Auditorium lobby, between the hours of 12:00 Noon and 9:00 PM to vote on the 2022-2023 budget, propositions and to elect three members of the Board of Education.
Player of the Year - Nik Eustace. 2021 LCAA at Large ADPRO "Player of the Year"
Kids Heart Challenge - Lockwood Elementary collected
$ 3,241.42 over all.
Letchworth Alumni News - Ashley Covert received SUNY Cobleskill Excellence in Student Leadership Award.
Letchworth HS Elective Courses for 2022-23
- Science: Chemistry 100, AP Biology, AP Chemistry
- Math: Algebra A-2, Pre-Calculus & Statistics, Calculus
- History: Honors Psychology
- Agriculture: Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Dairy/Equine Science, Forensics/Enfironmental Science, Greenhouse/Soil Science, Animal and Plant Ag. Academy, Mechanical Ag. Academy, Woodlot Management, Small Engins 1 and 2, Basic/Advanced Transportation
- Art: Ceramics, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Art, Senior Portfolio
- FACS: Clothing and Textiles 1 & 2, Food and Nutrition 1 & 2, Fiber to Fab/Bake Shop, Senior Survival/Bake Shop, Farm to Table, Gourmet Foods 1 & 2, Child Development and Parenting, Housing and Your Environment
- Foreign Language: French 2, 3, Honors, 5, Spanish 2, 3, 4, 5
- Misc: Yearbook, Leadership, Honors Keyboarding
- Music: Intro to Music Theory/Music Appreciation
- Technology: DDP, Welding & Advanced Welding, Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems, Coding and Game Design