Preliminary budget reflects investment in student success
HOWARD S. SMITH Williamsville School Superintendent
In Williamsville, we know that in order for our students to succeed, we need to be efficient, responsive, and accountable to the people we serve. Our schools represent a vital community investment, and the district's annual budget development process focuses on maximizing the return on investment for both students and taxpayers.

The 2008-09 preliminary budget plan continues all instructional and support programs and maintains current class sizes. It also addresses the growth in the district's English as a Second Language program, the increased enrollment of high school students in occupational education programs offered by BOCES, an additional self-contained class for students with disabilities, and instructional technology improvements at all schools.

Increases in certain fixed costs, such as health care, utilities and transportation, have placed a major burden on the budget. The cost of diesel fuel, for example, is anticipated to increase a staggering 37 percent while health care premiums will rise an estimated 10 percent. The increase in utilities would have been much greater if the district's ongoing energy-saving efforts and proactive partnership with the New York Power Authority had not mitigated the increase in this area.

While the budget proposal for the coming year continues to be a work in progress, the draft $152 million budget represents an increase of 4.69 percent over the current year. This plan is driven by the Board of Education goal that calls for developing a fiscally responsible budget that reflects the values of the community, sustains and enhances the educational program, and is supported by the community. As we continue to scrutinize our plan and look to reduce expenses even further, there are still several unknown revenues that will affect the tax impact for property owners. The governor's proposed state budget provides a significant increase in aid to Williamsville, but the looming state deficit may affect the actual amount allocated for education.

Also, property assessment data from the towns will not be finalized until the summer. This information is necessary to determine the school tax rate. Until then, we can only estimate the tax impact of the spending proposal using a conservative analysis of known tax rate variables, including the 92 percent equalization rate for properties in Amherst resulting from the Town Board's decision last year to suspend its full value assessment program. At this point in time, I am projecting an estimated 3 percent increase in the tax rate. Our current work is designed to lower that projection prior to the community vote.

As the budget development process continues, it is important to emphasize the remarkable value of a Williamsville education. The most recent data available from the state Education Department affirms the fact that Williamsville delivers high academic results at a competitive per student cost that is below the state average for all public school districts and well below the per pupil rate for similar high performing school districts across the state.

The board will hold another work session on the preliminary spending plan on Tuesday, March 25. Information is available on the district Web site at www.williamsvillek12.org.