Amherst Schools tax levy still high for projected 2008-09 budget
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Over the last 10 years, the Amherst School Board has prided itself on providing a reasonable tax levy increase for its residents.

But as the board delves deeper into budget discussions for the 2008-09 school year, it's looking more like there will be a significant tax levy hike.

At the April 1 board meeting, School Business Administrator Gregory Kern proposed a $42.9 million budget with a 5.9-percent tax levy increase for the 2008-09 school year. Two weeks earlier, Kern proposed a $43.6 million budget and a 9.3-percent levy increase.

The average tax levy increase in the district over the last 10 years has been 1.25 percent.

Skyrocketing costs in health insurance, fuel, salaries and benefits are major reasons for the increase.

The district went to one health insurance provider in 2005 and saved $750,000. Kern said if the district hadn't consolidated when it did, projected health insurance costs for next year would be $1 million higher.

The board asked Kern to make the tax levy increase 4.9 percent or lower. To get to that number, the board brainstormed ways to save money, ranging from cuts in funding for technology and personnel expenditures to field trip transportation and supplies and equipment for athletic teams. Kern suggested cutting back on money designated in the budget for the appropriated fund balance (surplus).

Board Vice President David Stocking suggested expanding class size to save money, an idea he talked about at a previous board meeting, but since it involved a personnel matter, it could not be discussed further in public session.

Superintendent Laura Chabe said she would ask district administrators to look for ways to make cuts.

"I have to leave it to their discretion because they know their programs the best," said Chabe.

The board must agree on a budget to put on the ballot for voters at its next meeting on April 22.

In another matter, Karen Marcucci, an attorney from Erie I BOCES, told the district that its policy manual will be updated beginning in the upcoming school year. The process will take two years. Marcucci said the normal cost is $8,200, but because the district has been supportive of BOCES, the district will only be charged a maintenance fee of $2,300.

Marcucci said the district has also been asked to be a pilot program for its policy manual to be viewed online at no charge to the district.