Proposed Nyack Schools Budget Carries 2.17 Percent Tax Levy Increase

The Nyack School District's 2012-13 proposed budget is packaged with a 2.17 percent tax levy increase, an uptick superintendent James Montesano says would likely adhere to governor Andrew Cuomo's tax cap once inflation and state directives are considered.

The tentative budget could come in $273,000 under the state's tax cap, which, when applied to Nyack, may allow for a 2.6 percent increase; that money can be banked and used toward future budgets, officials said.

The fiscal plan—put together by superintendent James Montesano—comes in at $72,552,291, a 1.73 percent increase over last year's.

The proposed budget keeps all instructional programs and extracurricular programs, and "essentially all staff," Montesano said, although some administrative posts may be eliminated.

Montesano added that the district is also trying to rely less on surplus funds; last year the budget drew about $650,000 from its coffers.

"It may not be available... to keep pumping into the budget," he said.

Local property owners would finance about 90-percent of the cost, with state aid, fund balance and other revenue sources covering the rest.

The vast majority of the budget would go toward programs; the rest, 19 percent, would support capital and administration costs.

Over two-dozen parents and faculty members turned out for the preliminary hearing. A more in-depth budget packet will be released online in the coming days.

Montesano said some costs are out of the district's hands, like health benefits, pension contributions and special education funding. He added that while budgets past were based on student need and community input, Cuomo's tax cap is now the starting point.

School officials can pass a budget over the state's cap with a 60 percent majority vote from school officials and public referendum.

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Budget timeline

April 3... Budget workshop

April 17... Budget adoption

May 1... Budget information hearing

May 15... Budget/trustee vote, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.