It's the largest tax hike in years for the North Syracuse School District. Monday night, the school board approved it's budget which includes a 5.2% increase.
"We started way up over 15% increase, and we've taken it down to 5%," said school board member Robert Crabtree.
If taxpayers accept the hike, it means homeowners will pay $107 more a year for every $100,000 of their home's assessed value.
"In the current economic conditions it's something that is just necessary and hopefully in a couple years we'll be back to normal but for now we've got no choice," said taxpayer Vince Hollopeter.
A lengthy discussion led up to the vote on the $136-million budget, but in the end all 9 board members voted in favor of it. The board was trying to balance the budget while facing a $12-million dollar gap, a $7-million dollar loss in state aid and increased health care, retirement and fuel costs. Supertintendent Jerome Melvin says over the last 3 years, the district has seen a $19-million drop in state school aid.
The 2011-2012 spending plan eliminates 67 positions meaning students will have to learn in larger classes. "We are already in the 20's especially in first and second grade. That's a lot of children and to meet all of their needs," said first grade teacher Rosemary Farfaglia. "It really worries me greatly being a first grade teacher and worrying about early literacy."
The board also restored $1.9-million in previously made cuts. Including some of the programs parents, student and teachers fought hard for the past few weeks. Six modified sports teams are reinstated, but with a reduced season, half the games will be scrimmages because they cost less money. Varsity assistant coaches will stay and the budget keeps some music programs, like strings for 3rd graders and chorus. But there are cuts to clubs like math league and mock trial. Plus music for 5th and 6th graders will be trimmed to once a week.
The budget is now in the hands of the taxpayers who will vote on whether to accept the proposed spending plan, and the 5.2% tax hike on May 18.
