Young To BCSD: Get Ready To Pay More Taxes

by Thaddeus Flint
Taxpayers in the Berlin Central School District might want to get ready to pay more taxes next year. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Stephen Young, pointed out at Tuesday’s School Board meeting that the District had not seen an increase in the tax levy for three years. “I don’t think we can hold that number,” said Young. “We have to start looking at putting more money into the Budget.”
[private]The District’s Business Manager, William Burke, had just finished another of his projections of doom. In last month’s projection, Burke had said that with all things remaining the same the District would have a deficit of $578,000. He has looked at that a bit more, and it is now $668,000. This is, of course, not what will happen, but what could happen were the District to carry over the exact same budget it has now into 2013. Burke updated the 2012 budget with known increases in salaries, benefits and health insurance and removed some salaries for retiring employees. He also added in a 2% tax increase. While the State has mandated 2% as a tax cap, when it comes to government, 2% is not always 2%. There is a complex formula for figuring out 2%. “It is possible that in Berlin [the School District] it will be higher,” said Burke.
While Governor Cuomo is talking about raising total aid to schools by 4%, most of that aid – 76% – is going to high needs districts. Berlin is “not a high needs district,” pointed out Burke. So it is probably best not to depend on new aid from the State.  The Federal Education Jobs Fund program will also be ending. The District will lose around $420,000 as a result.
On the other end, salaries will rise by around 2.5% to 3% in contractual increases. And health insurance costs could swell by as much as 10%. Here Burke used the worst case scenario. “It won’t get worse [than these projections],” said Burke, “it could get slightly better.”
In total, revenue would shrink to about $17,120,00 and expenditures would increase to around $17,780,000 to produce the gloomy $668,953 deficit.
“Keep in mind it’s a projection and not the Superintendent’s Budget,” cautioned Young. Young hinted that the budget he submits to the Board come spring will likely be even costlier. In order to move the District along into the 21st century, 21st century teachers, supplies and facilities are going to be needed.
Even finding $600,000 when taxes are capped at 2% is going to take some creativity. It is certainly an argument for considering Board Member John Nash’s proposal to try to get more money out of the projected sales of the mothballed Grafton and Stephentown Elementary schools. Right now they are more or less slated to be gifted to towns for around $1 dollar and some community service.
Young reported that three real estate firms have been contacted to see what they can get for the buildings. They all want current appraisals of the structures. Nash has found a fourth firm. He didn’t name it but said it was one of the most experienced in the region for selling vacant Catholic schools. “Most were sold and developed rapidly,” said Nash. “Any potential to increase revenue will benefit the children as well as the District.”
Nash feels that the quick pace to rid the District of these buildings, “which belong to the entire District, not one town,” should be slowed down. In the meantime he would like to see what this fourth real estate firm might have to say. “As a Board we should have a conversation with them to see what they can do for us,” said Nash, looking at the rest of the Board. It was like he was talking to himself. The only other Board Member present was Jim Willis. Board Members Gina Goodermote, Frank Zwack, Rachel Finney, Bev Stewart and Alan Webster were all missing. As such there was not a quorum, and nothing could be voted on.
Town Of Grafton Takes Over GES Project
Ray Darling, the Grafton Town Supervisor, had come to speak to the Board about the Grafton Elementary School. He addressed a largely empty table instead, saying that the Grafton Fire District had passed the project of getting that property over to the Town. “They decided to step back and let the Town Board work on the project,” said Darling. Darling, like Nash, wants to slow things down. The Town needs time to study the building and determine its possible uses and possible costs. “It is way bigger than we need,” said Darling. Grafton would probably have to lease out parts of the facility in order to keep it up and running without taxpayers incurring some huge new burden. “This is something that will take months to put together,” said Darling. “We are not ready to submit a plan at this time.” Could the School Board extend the March deadline by a few months? Since the School Board was largely not there, nobody could say for sure.
An Organic Garden
Willis and Nash also heard from a school group that is proposing to put an organic garden into a lot at the High School, which had once been a garden a few years back. No pesticides will be used and compost could come from whatever students deem to be inedible from the school’s cafeteria. Teachers and staff will be contributing seeds and growing materials. The Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company in Missouri has already sent over a hundred dollars in free seeds. The project, which has around 15 students interested so far, is being overseen by teachers Jean Kirsch and Dawn Wetmore. Joan Buzerak from a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm on Fred Moon Road in Petersburgh will be donating her advice as well. “It has so much potential,” said Nash, “I will support your project 100%.” Willis agreed. “It’s a wonderful idea!” he said.[/private]