State aid would fund renovations at Sweet Home
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

The Sweet Home Central School District Board of Education has approved a $60,311,708 budget for the academic year 2007-08.

The budget, adopted unanimously, represents an increase of 5.83 percent compared to the current spending plan.

District officials said an increase in state aid this year will result in the tax levy rising by 1.81 percent, although the impact on the tax rate will not be known until equalization rates are released by the State Office of Real Property.

Sweet Home officials anticipate the tax bill for a home in the Amherst portion of the district to increase between $15 and $25. A similar home in the Town of Tonawanda could see a tax bill change ranging from a $21 decrease to an $18 increase.

In addition to the budget, voters will also be asked to decide the fate of two additional propositions. The first would authorize spending $428,100 for six school buses.

The second proposition would authorize the spending of $3.6 million of New York State Excel aid for renovations to five of the district's six buildings.

The $3.6 million Excel renovation project will have zero impact on the local taxpayer, according to district officials.

A total of $1.2 million of the project will be covered by a state aid program called Excel Aid, with the remaining being covered by state building aid.

Excel Aid is a one-time fund provided by New York State for building projects. If district voters choose not to use this state aid, then the state would retain the money. If approved, the state aid reimbursement would mean no local financial impact on taxpayers of the Sweet Home Central School District.

To be eligible for Excel Aid, 75 percent of expenses for proposed building projects must fall within five categories outlined by New York State.

The categories are education technology, health and safety of school buildings including safety measures for building occupants, accessibility for those with disabilities, physical capacity expansion or school construction, and energy cost and consumption reduction.

The proposed project at Sweet Home centers on the health and safety and accessibility categories by making each school building a safe place for all students, visitors and community, according to Superintendent Geoff Hicks.

Voters will also elect three members to the Board of Education. The five-year terms of Michael F. Morrow and Douglas J. Galli and the one-year term of Scott M. Johnson each expire on June 30. Morrow previously announced he will not seek re-election.

The annual district vote will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 at Sweet Home High School, 1901 Sweet Home Road. Voting was relocated this year because of construction at the Middle School.