School Budget Vote Information - Tuesday, May 17 - Three propositions to vote on, NO Additional Cost to Taxpayers! 0% Levy Increase!

 

Charlene Dehn • Red Jacket Schools

 

 

Budget Information: In April, the Board of Education adopted a 2022-2023 Budget of $21,607,803, with a tax levy increase of 0.0%, and a budget increase of 6.34%. With the addition of positions (information below), we are able to ask voters to vote on a 0.0% tax levy increase because of the restoration of Red Jacket’s Foundation Aid. We are holding an in-person budget vote on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 from 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. in the Red Jacket Auditorium Foyer. Community members who need to request an absentee ballot, will need to call Board Clerk, Kim Brown, at 585-289-3964 or email her at [email protected] to request an absentee ballot application. The completed absentee ballot application will need to be returned to Mrs. Brown by 5:00 p.m. on the date of the school budget vote.

 

There are three (3) propositions for voters to vote on:

 

Proposition #1 is the Budget: On May 17th, from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., we are asking voters to vote on the 2022-2023 School budget of $21,607,803, which is a 0.0% tax levy increase over the 2021-2022 school year. The District’s allowable tax cap is 4.36%, however, Red Jacket has always remained under the tax cap and, in fact, will have a 0.00% tax levy increase in four (4) out of seven (7) years! The contingent budget is $21,379,805. If our operational budget is voted down, the Board of Education could decide to adjust the budget and request a revote or go to a contingent budget. If we go to a contingent budget, we are required by law to reduce the budget by $227,998, remove non-state aided equipment, and charge a fee to the community for use of District facilities.

 

Without additional cost to taxpayers, the 2022-2023 operational budget includes a full time School Resource Officer and the restoration of a music teacher position. It also includes a secretarial position that was previously paid for through Title I - Part A grant funds. Due to grant restrictions, we are no longer able to include this position in the grant. One of the two bus mechanic positions was previously a 12-month mechanic/10-month driver position. Upon the request of the full-time, 12-month mechanic, the District made the additional mechanic/driver a 12-month mechanic position. Additionally, members of the Transportation Department have voiced the need for a full-time administrator at the bus garage. The budget supports paying for the additional full-time mechanic and supports hiring a Director of Transportation to provide on-site support and oversight of the Department.

The 2022-2023 operational budget also supports exterior pavement improvements and, recently settled, competitive teacher, confidential employee and CSEA employee (support staff, including drivers) contractual agreements.

Proposition #2 is the Bus Purchase: We are asking voters to vote on expending $496,000 from the Bus Reserve to purchase two (3) full-size 65 passenger buses and one (1) 30 passenger bus with the total not to exceed $496,000. The funds are available in our Bus Reserve. The District is on a five-year annual bus replacement schedule to take advantage of the safety and financial benefits it affords our students and District. The State provides Red Jacket with 90% aid back on bus purchases! The five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty on new buses places students in newer, safer buses, decreases maintenance costs associated with older buses, and allows Red Jacket to take advantage of the higher auction value when it is time to sell the buses. There is no additional tax impact to District residents for the bus purchases.

 

Proposition #3 is the Board of Education: There will be one five-year Board of Education seat vacancy that voters will vote on. There are currently three (3) community members running for the Board of Education: Allison Shannon, Matt Schaertl, & Jennifer Speers.