Board adopts 2008-09 budget: $151 million
Williamsville schools
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The Williamsville Central School District is done crunching numbers and has adopted its 2008-09 budget.

Now it's up to residents to decide whether it's a good spending plan.

The adopted budget, totaling $151.22 million, was approved unanimously at the April 8 board meeting. The figure is a spending increase of 4.10 percent from 2007-08, and an estimated 2.64 percent tax levy increase.

There was little discussion among the board members prior to voting, as the process has been ongoing for months. In the months leading up to the vote, the members were very vocal in calling for a decrease in spending from the preliminary budget.

The district also faced state-mandated increases while supporting programing.

"As a board, we've done our due diligence in achieving that goal with this budget," said President Romona Popowich about finding the balance between students' and residents' needs.

Due to unknown revenue and assessment totals, the tax rate has not been finalized. Residents can expect an increase in the .86 percent range.

Since the preliminary budget was released in February it has been reduced $850,000 (.5 percent). Last year's budget totaled $145 million.

Tom Maturski, assistant superintendent of business and facilities, said the adopted New York State budget included the $700,000 increase in BOCES funding.

"We really appreciate Assemblyman Jim Hayes and Sen. Mary Lou Rath in helping put that through," he said.

The district is expecting $33 million in total state aid.

Residents can comment on the budget at a hearing set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in the district boardroom, 105 Casey Road. The PTSA School Board Candidates' Night will follow at 7:30 p.m.

The board must abide by state deadlines for adopting the budget and holding a public hearing, thus placing the budget hearing after the adoption of the plan.

The district vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the gymnasium at North High School, 1595 Hopkins Road.

The Communications Department said the budget will be available for review at the end of April at the 13 schools, the district office and three town libraries.