Boost in state aid gives taxpayers a break
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The adoption of the state budget realized a $1.75 million increase in funding for the Williamsville Central School District.

And every cent will be used to ease the tax burden on residents.

Superintendent Howard S. Smith estimates that the tax increase for the 2007-08 school year will be less than one percent.

The $145 million budget, which was adopted by the Williamsville School Board on April 17, is projected to carry a tax increase of .84 percent.

"I have never seen a 9 percent increase in all my years," Smith said about the unexpected increase in state aid.

Initially, because of Williamsville's high economic standing, the school was going to receive approximately a 3 percent increase in state education aid.

Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, said that the state had a $4 billion surplus and the Legislature voted to use $1 billion for schools.

"This will help taxpayers and keep the cost down," Hayes said. "The Legislature was able to come up with additional aid for high wealth districts."

According to Hayes, on average the state pays for 20 percent of Williamsville's budget, but in areas, such as Buffalo, the state pays about 80 percent . The average in New York State is 40 percent.

With the additional unexpected state aid, and anticipated staff retirements, Smith said the district was able to decrease s p e n ding and costs for residents.

The district estimates the tax rate will be $19.61 per $1,000 of assessed valuation - 16 cents more than the current year. For a house assessed at $150,000 the increase, after STAR adjustment, would be $25.

The $145 million budget represents a 4.42 percent spending increase from the current year. Smith said that many costs are ones that the district has no control over such as health insurance, retirement and utilities.

The 2007-08 budget includes six major instructional programs, including a modified football team, expanding the summer kindergarten camp, adding a keyboarding program at the fifth grade level and hiring an English as a second language teacher, as well as a full-time school psychologist.

A budget hearing and special meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3 in the district office boardroom, 105 Casey Road. The Parent Teacher Student Association's Candidates Night will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Residents will vote on the budget from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 at Williamsville North High School, 1595 Hopkins Road.

In other school board news, Lesley Battaglia, social studies team leader at South High School, was recognized for receiving the 2007 Outstanding High School Teacher Award from the New York State Council for the Social Studies.

Also recognized, Williamsville East Jazz Ensemble for being one of only 15 high school music groups from North America selected to compete in the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival May 4-6 at Lincoln Center, New York City. The Jazz Ensemble will perform at the June 13 school board meeting and report on its experiences.

Stephen Shewan, director of the ensemble, compared this festival to the biggest sporting event in the country.

"We're going to the Super Bowl," he told the board.