$28.56 million proposed budget preserves educational opportunities, keeps tax levy increase below ‘cap’
Members of the Watervliet City School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a proposed $28.56 million budget for the 2020-21 school year during a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19. The meeting was held by videoconference and livestreamed for the public.
District residents will vote on the proposed school budget and elect two candidates to the Board of Education by absentee ballot only on Tuesday, June 9. All ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on the date of the vote to be counted. There will be no in-person voting this year, per an executive order issued by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on May 1.
The proposed budget, which maintains all academic programs and services for students, would increase spending by 1.3 percent, or $373,000 more than the current year.
The property tax levy would increase by 1.98 percent next year, which is slightly lower than the district’s maximum allowable cap under the state law. Individual school tax rates will be set in August when the district receives the final tax assessment rolls from the city.
Board of Education election
Two candidates are running for two open seats on the Watervliet City School District Board of Education:
- Tim Delisle is running for a first term.
- Mary Beth Whited is seeking re-election to a second term on the school board.