2024 - 2025 Budget Newsletter
Budget Newsletter May, 2024
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2024 ACWC All-County High School Art Show
On March 22, 2024 the Letchworth High School Visual Arts program celebrated ten artists at the ACWC All-County High School Art Show: 12th grade: Evan Carter, Nataliia Proskurnia, Ella Schwab, Jasmine Snyder 11th grade: Ava Conklin, McKenzie Osborne, Olivia Gilbert 10th grade: Kaylyn Bradley, Ivy Smith 9th grade: Miranda Hoyt The show took place at the Arts Council of Wyoming County Gallery located on Main Street in Perry. The show consisted of four different school districts across Wyoming County. It is an honor in itself to be one of the ten selected to participate in this event, but our student artists took home a multitude of additional awards. Ella Schwab (12th grade) received the ACWC Director's Choice Award for her ceramic sculpture. This recognition included a certificate of achievement from ACWC, a certificate from Representative Claudia Tenney, a $100 art stipend and was the featured design on the cover of the ceremony program. Ava Conklin (11th grade) won the Honor of Excellence Award for her acrylic painting. Lastly, McKenzie Osborne (11th grade) was asked to represent Letchworth CSD for an article in the paper alongside her watercolor and graphite piece. Congratulations to all of our student artists (Brooke Tisdale, High School Art Teacher) and all of the hard work that they have been putting into their pieces this year. We cannot wait to see how everyone grows as artists in the years to come. See page 11 for more photos.
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LCS World Language Club Donates $1,000
LCS students traveling to France this year delivered a $1,000 check to the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo on behalf of the World Language Club. Craig Wadsworth, pilot, mechanic and museum volunteer accepted the donation, which will be used for the ongoing restoration of Whiskey 7, a WW2 combat plane that dropped paratroopers in Normandy on D-Day. These students visited the drop zones and D-Day beaches during their trip to France.
Ninth Graders Study Shakepeare's Time
Before studying Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, ninth grade English students practiced their research skills by learning more about the Elizabethan Era in London. Each student had a unique topic to research through a variety of sources, and, then, they presented their findings to their classmates. Some students brought in props; others had food to share, while others dressed in or made costume and mask pieces that accompanied their presentations. Overall, this project was a grand success, allowing students to learn about Shakespeare's time in an interesting and educational way.
Third Grade - Sweet Sixteen
This year marked the second year that our third-grade students were given the opportunity to create their own unique flavors for Yummies in Warsaw. Third grade students from several Wyoming County schools entered their custom flavors. From there, the Yummies employees chose sixteen flavors to compete in becoming a new Yummies flavor that will be scooped all summer long. This year, we had three students make it to the Yummies Sweet Sixteen. Soryn’s Donkey Kong’s Banana Blast, Elianna’s Do-Mint and Emma’s Puppy Chow. Congrats to Emma Bergmann who was chosen as Yummies Grand Champion flavor. The third-grade teachers decided to host the Letchworth Sweet Sixteen as well. Four entries per class were put into the Letchworth Third Grade Sweet Sixteen bracket, and students were given the chance to vote for their favorite flavors each day. On March 26th, Matthew Oulton’s Blue Sky (Blue Dyed Vanilla Ice Cream with blueberry swirl and marshmallows) was declared the winner. The teachers will be making Matthew’s winning ice cream for all of the third-grade students to sample. Congratulations Matthew and Emma!
PUBLIC HEARING -
Monday, May 13, 2024 @ 7:30 PM ‐ The annual school district Public Hearing will be held at Letchworth Central School in the High School Cafeteria at 7:30 PM for the purpose of reviewing the 2024‐2025 school budget and to meet the candidates.
Page 3- Superintendent's Message
Dear Letchworth Families,
What an incredible past few months here at LCS. We have opened the Innovation Center to our students and the Capital Building Project has reached completion. Our students have been recognized for success in local Arts contests and traveled to foreign countries. It is a joy to see our students challenging themselves locally and abroad. This is just a fraction of the news inside and outside the walls of LCS. Please take a moment to read about this in more detail within this newsletter. We are very proud of our students and staff.
I am sure many of you are also aware of the final approval of our new school nickname - LEGENDS. Letchworth will continue to work through this process designing the new logo and branding within the school. The plan is for the new logo to be finalized by the end of June and some of the branding to take place over the summer. When students return in September it will be evident that we are transitioning to LEGENDS. This continues to be an emotional journey for everyone. Indians will not be erased from our history and we are working on ways to memorialize this essential piece of our school and community history. Our school website continues to be a place where you can find updates on the progress.
The majority of this newsletter is committed to providing you with information regarding next year's proposed 2024-25 school budget. You will see that once again the District is proposing a budget that is cost effective and financially responsible in this volatile economy. This budget maintains our priorities of safety, mental health, exceptional educational opportunities, well qualified staff, a variety of extracurriculars and well maintained facilities. Your support is critical to maintain all of our incredible opportunities we offer our students. The cost of maintaining these priorities is rising. A proposed 2% increase in our tax levy this year is needed. This is only the third tax levy increase since 2018. The Board of Education is very aware that costs have gone up in all facets of life. Providing taxpayers a budget that limits increases is a priority.
In closing, I want to thank you for the opportunity you give us each day to work with your children. I understand the value each life holds and the desire for all Letchworth students to have an opportunity to be successful and find joy in their education. We value the role we each play in this journey. Please come out and VOTE on Tuesday, May 21. Be a part of this incredible mission and celebrate what we have here. There will be many things to see at school that night and another opportunity to support our incredible Letchworth family.
Together…We are Letchworth,
Todd Campbell
Class of 2025 - Food Fundraiser -
Tuesday, May 21st 5-8pm
Qualifications of a voter:
United States Citizen
Eighteen years of age or older
Resident of the School District for 30 days prior to voting
NOTICE OF INSPECTION: Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for 2024 of all buildings of Letchworth Central School District for fire hazards which might endanger the lives of students, teachers, employees therein, has been completed and the report thereof is available at the District Office of Letchworth Central School District at 5550 School Road, Gainesville, New York for inspection by all interested persons.
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The following provides the proposed revenue and expenditure plan for the 2024-2025 school-year in a summarized format. The tri-part format and the District Report Card are available in the District Office, on the District website or by calling 585-493-5450.
(View chart for exact numbers and comparison)
The School Budget and the New York State Tax Levy Limit (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 3.99%. Since the proposed levy increase for this year is 2% (or $92,967 below the cap), a simple majority will be required for passage.
The proposed expenditure plan of $26,593,447 is partially funded by a tax levy of $4,763,500. This is a two (2.0) 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 2024-25. Under this proposed budget, the tax rate on true value is estimated to increase to $10.35 per thousand.
Page 5 - Proposed Expenditures Chart
General Support, Instruction, Transportation
CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECT
The 2024‐25 general fund proposed budget includes a capital outlay project that would be completed during the upcoming school year. This project includes HVAC and building automation improvements. The total cost of the project will not exceed $100,000 and is aided through state building aid. By completing this work as a capital outlay project, the District will receive the state building aid in the following year
LOCKWOOD’S UPK
Pre-Kindergarten Program All district children who are 4 on or before December 1, 2024 are eligible. Please register online at our website. Once dates for screenings have been established, we will send you information packets. Any questions, call 493-2581
Page 6 Proposed Expenditures Chart -
Community Service, Employee Benefits, Debt Service, Interfund Transfers, Total General Fund
Graph of Revenues (Left); Graph of Expenditures (Right)
Page 7 - Proposed Annual School Budget
Proposition #1 - Budget $26,593,477
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 2024-25 school year in the amount of $26,593,447.00 and to levy the necessary tax therefore.
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Proposition #2 - Purchase from the 2015 Maintenance Vehicles/Equipment Reserve Fund
Be it resolved that the Board of Education of the Letchworth Central School District shall be authorized to expend funds from the 2015 Maintenance Vehicles/Equipment Reserve Fund, established by the voters on May 19, 2015 under Section 3651 of Education Law, for the purchase of one (1) - one-ton truck with dump body and one (1) - Rough Terrain Vehicle with power steering, GPS painter and related accessories; not to exceed the total sum of $149,000.00
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Proposition #3 - Purchase from the 2017 Transportation Vehicles Capital Reserve Fund
Be it resolved that the Board of Education of the Letchworth Central School District shall be authorized to expend funds from the 2017 Transportation Vehicles Capital Reserve Fund, established by the voters on May 16, 2017 under Section 3651 of Education Law, for the purchase of one (1) new Chevrolet Suburban not to exceed the sum of $72,668.00.
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Proposition #4 - 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 $220,307.94 to $230,741.94 the increased amount to be distributed as followed: $35,392.33 to the Eagle Free Library, Bliss; $81,215.00 to the Cordelia A. Greene Library, Castile; $66,360.60 to the Gainesville Public Library, Silver Springs; and $47,774.01 to the Pike Library Association, Pike
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VOTE & ELECT BOARD MEMBERS
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – 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 2024‐2025 budget, propositions and to elect three members of the Board of Education.
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Board of Education - you may vote for any Three (3) Candidates
here are three vacancies for the Board for three year terms (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027). You May Vote For Any Three (3). 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.
1) Kristen Fisher
2) Michelle Hoyt
3) Steve Youngers
4) William Kuipers
5) Jenifer Wallace
KRISTEN FISHER
I was born and raised in Wyoming County, and my son is a third-generation Letchworth student. I am a transplant to the Letchworth district from Warsaw, but Letchworth feels like home. The school provides support to students and their parents that feels like family, far more than I have experienced anywhere else. I’m running for the School Board because I want every student to feel like they belong in the family, no matter their circumstances.
As a parent, it’s extremely important to me that Letchworth students have the support they need to remain in our district, to learn surrounded by their peers, and that the teachers and staff have resources to care for and educate our kids. We owe it to our children to provide them with a consistent, positive, familiar environment. I owe it to my son, who has special needs, to make sure he has what he needs to learn with his peers, close to home. Our diverse students enrich the school experience for everyone.
As a social worker and mental health professional, I believe that starting each day without anxiety, depression, or undue stress is just as important as starting each day with a healthy breakfast and completed homework. We know that it’s tough getting through the day if we are worried about things happening at home, or struggling to handle social situations at school. It’s impossible to learn if we’re overwhelmed by negative emotions. I want to make sure that Letchworth students have coping and emotional regulations skills they need in order to thrive.
I hope to spend the next three years on the Board promoting inclusivity and mental wellness in our students and our staff. I will make sure that Letchworth remains a family to everyone for generations far into the future.
MICHELLE HOYT
Hello, my name is Michelle (Kuipers) Hoyt. I grew up in the area and I am a Letchworth alumnus, having attended K-12 there. My mother was a Physical Education teacher at Letchworth for 35 years and my father has served on the School Board for multiple terms.
After graduation, I left the area to attend the US Air Force Academy and serve in the US Air Force. I met my husband at the Air Force Academy and we have been married for 30 years now. Our Air Force careers kept us moving and in 2014, after my husband retired from the Air Force, we moved to Utah where I attended The University of Utah Law School. In 2017, after graduation, we moved back to the area. I now work as a solo attorney in the transactional realm consisting of real estate, estate administration, and estate planning. I continue to serve in the US Air Force Reserves out of Niagara Falls ARS. My husband and I have one child who graduated from LCS and two children currently attending.
My family is very thankful to live in the district and have our children attend LCS. I feel serving on the school board is an opportunity to step up to the plate and give back to the community as we continue to strive toward improving our school while preserving our traditional American values.
STEVE YOUNGERS
We are fortunate that our District is in a sound financial situation. Making sure your tax dollars continue to be used effectively is a priority. I am a lifelong resident of the Letchworth District; a 1977 graduate. My wife, JoAnn, and I live in Gainesville. My three children and two step-children are all graduates of this impressive district. There is now a third generation of Youngers attending Letchworth Central: my granddaughters Madison, Candice, Kennedie; my grandsons, Kyler, Payson. I have served eight terms (24 years) on the Board and would like to continue to be a part of the decision making process for the school. My aim is to help make available the best educational opportunities for our students that they might realize their fullest potential. With your vote, I look forward to continuing to serve on the Board of Education. Thank you.
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WILLIAM KUIPERS
As a former member of the Board of Education (2001 -2016) I am aware of the many challenges our school district faces financially and with the ever growing safety and educational standards. As a longtime resident of the district whose children graduated from Letchworth Central School and whose grandchildren are now attending Letchworth, I am aware of how important education is in opening doors for a child to lifetime opportunities. For that reason I am seeking re-election to the Board. I would appreciate your vote so that I may again serve on the Letchworth Central School Board of Education and therefore renew my involvement in the education process of this district. Thank you.
JENIFER WALLACE
After graduating Alfred State College in 1992, I moved to Castile where I still live today. I’ve raised my three children at Letchworth where I volunteered in the classroom, the walking program, field trips, etc. as much as possible to help facilitate a good parent / teacher relationship. I have seen many positive as well as several negative changes over the years. It’s my hope that with my background of serving on the Village Board of Castile for the last 10+ years along with sitting on the Board of Trustees at the Castile United Church of Christ, that you would entrust me to help make the educated decisions necessary which benefits our most valuable talent, our children! Somewhere along the lines it seems we’ve forgotten what or who rather is most important and it’s my desire to advocate for our youth. With enrollment decreasing at every school, we need to be open-minded and accommodating to those changes. With one of my children still attending LCS, I have a vested interest in seeing that all children receive the best education, opportunity to try new things in a safe and positive environment while educating myself to help make wise decisions on spending LCS tax dollars. I would truly appreciate your vote May 21st. Thank you.
EARLY/ABSENTEE BALLOTS 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 nonfelony.
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.
The option of using an early mail ballot is available for the school district annual budget vote. To obtain an early mail ballot, you must submit a request in writing and be a qualified voter of the school district Applications for early mail or absentee ballots 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 at the Office of the District Clerk. All completed early mail and absentee ballots must be received no later than 5:00 PM on the day of the election. (Tuesday, May 21, 2024)
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
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Middle School Student of the Month
February
Grade 5: Aleena Colon-Pleace
Charlie Bartlett
Grade 6: Kylee Metcalf
Antonio Solis-Berger
Grade 7: Lidia Yount
Bentley Fraser
Grade 8: Marianna Abbott
Alexander Marquart
March
Grade 5: Eva Huppe
Issac Bonefede
Grade 6: Harper Smith
Alanah Dumbleton
Grade 7: Laynee Emke
Levi Wilcox
Grade 8: Addison Flint
Dylan Coggiola
High School Students of the Month
February
Grade 9: Evelyn Raymond
Natalie McElver
Grade 10: Ivy Smith
Lillian Lane
Grade 11: Ava Conklin
Kiarra Gilbert
Grade 12: Lindsey Frew
Evan Carter
March
Grade 9: Isabel Bacon
Miranda Hoyt
Grade 10: Mia Belkota
Katrina Snyder
Grade 11: Lily Distaffen
Grade 12: Noah Almeter
Mylah McCormick
Upcoming Events
5/13 - Board of Education Meeting & Public Hearing
5/21 VOTE – Budget & Board of Education Members; Arts Festival & STEAM Fair; FFA Plant Sale
5/23 HS Honor Roll Breakfast
5/24 Memorial Day Assembly
5/28 Board of Education Meeting
5/30 Concert – Sr. Chorus & Band
6/5-7 Whale Watch
6/6 Concert - 4th Grade Chorus, 5th &6th Grade Chorus & Band
6/13 Concert – Jr. Chorus & Band
6/21 Graduation
**Public Hearing** - May 13, 2024 7:30PM - HS Cafe/
**Vote** - May 21, 2024 - Noon - 9PM Aud Lobby
ATTENTION: If you would like to review and comment on the ARP ESSER Plan and the ARP State Level Reserve Plans you can do so at the links below. Webpage: https://www.letchworth.k12.ny.us/depts/business-office/american-rescue-plan-arp
ARP Plan: https://www.letchworth.k12.ny.us/fs/resource-manager/view/26e8d1b8-63ef-40e2-a23a-80f8dfff02fe
Page 11: 2024 ACWC All-County High School Art Show Photos
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Springtime in France
Fifteen members of the LCS World Language Club recently embarked on a 10 day trip to France. While there, students toured the American sector D-Day beaches in Normandy and paid their respects at the American Cemetery in Colleville. In Paris, they visited the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre museum to name a few of their many stops. The timing of the trip allowed the group to see the restoration progress of the beloved Notre Dame Cathedral as well as the summer Olympics preparations taking shape. They covered many miles on foot, including many off the beaten path gardens, passageways and other hidden gems. From the monuments to the macarons, it was a trip to remember!
Spring Break in the Rainforest:
24 LCS students spent their spring vacation in Costa Rica, immersed in the culture and Spanish language of this Central American country. The trip began in the capital city of San José, before traveling to the Caribbean area of Tortuguero, where the group had a special 4:30am wake up call from a howler monkey and several brown faced capuchin monkeys. They were able to capture images of many more animals before traveling to the Arenal volcano area via bus and white water raft. Here, the travelers hiked to La Fortuna waterfall, went on a successful sloth sighting search, and enjoyed ziplining through the rainforest, repelling down waterfalls, and the hot spring pools heated by the volcano. The journey ended with a relaxing 2 days on the Pacific side, complete with a catamaran ride and snorkeling in the ocean. Throughout the week students learned about the geography, history, and unique flora and fauna of CR, while making unforgettable memories on this adventure of a lifetime.
Washington DC - Close-up
This year Letchworth Middle School participated in its first ever CloseUp Program trip to Washington, DC. The inaugural opportunity was awarded to ten 7th grade students- Colby Zawacki, Colton Weber, Daniel Murray, Harper Bliss, Maya Bellamy, Brianna Burel, Carly Granger, McKenna Krist, Alexis Volpe, and Lidia Yount. Close-Up Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization. They have served over a million students, and now Letchworth alumni are added to that list.
Letchworth students spent a half a week digging deeper into history, government institutions, current issues, and their role as citizens. They worked with other middle school students from around the country. On her experience meeting new people Harper Bliss said, "We got to have discussions with people from around the country....we also got to learn about social skills and how we can improve them."
Highlights of the trip included visiting the memorials at night, Arlington cemetery, the Smithsonian, and Congress. Colby Zawacki said, "I got to learn about how big of a bookworm Thomas Jefferson was donating over 1,000 books to a library." Visiting the Vietnam War Memorial Brianna Burel learned "that the Vietnam memorial was supposed to be a scar on the Earth because of how many people died, and how tragic of an event it was." Lidia Yount noted, "We saw the Vietnam memorial which lists the names of all the people who died in the war. That was important to me because I never knew that many people passed in that war."
Everyone agreed that the experience was impactful. McKenna Krist explains, "I connected with tons of people from different places. Seeing all the monuments and hearing about them made me think about our community and how our government is run."