NORTH SYRACUSE -- The North Syracuse Central School District is unveiling its preliminary budget. Superintendent Jerry Melvin says there's still a lot of work to be done, but right now the district has to make up millions.
The district is facing a $12.8 million shortfall. Melvin says that number comes from cuts in state aid, and big increases in retirement cost. The budget factors in $4 million in increased retirement costs, including a 63% increase in New York State teacher retirement costs.
As the budget stands right now, a 17.8% tax increase would be necessary to balance it. Superintendent Melvin says there's no way that will happen. The school board is working on several scenarios with tax increases ranging from 0% to 5%. In all of the scenarios, the district will tap into the fund balance for $2 million. Another $887,000 would come from the remaining federal stimulus money.
One scenario includes a 2.5% tax increase. Melvin says if that gets approved, almost $7.5 million would need to be cut. Melvin says an estimated 150 jobs could be cut in that situation.
Melvin stresses this is just the preliminary budget being presented Monday night. The board will work on it for the next few weeks to bring the total down.
School budgets across CNY will go to voters on May 18th.
