District seeking budget guidance from residents in online survey

Have an opinion about which academic and extracurricular programs should be maintained in Marcellus Central Schools? What about how much you’re willing to pay in school taxes in 2013-14?

Here’s your chance to weigh in.

Marcellus Central School District officials are once asking residents to participate in a quick, online survey – to gauge the level of satisfaction with the school district and also seek some direction from the community about the state’s property tax levy cap threshold.

The tax cap law, which went into effect in 2011, restricts how school districts can increase their tax levies. Each district determines its “tax levy limit” by using an eight-step, mathematical formula that takes into account local tax base growth, the prior year’s levy and much more. Districts are allowed to exceed that limit, but only with 60 percent voter approval.

The district is still in the process of calculating the tax levy limit for 2013-14.

In 2012, 67 percent of Marcellus voters approved a 2.17 percent tax levy increase, which was the maximum levy allowed under the tax cap law. The average proposed tax levy increase statewide for 2012-13 was 2.24 percent.

“We went to the maximum allowable tax levy limit last year because we understood that any amount less than that would hinder the district’s ability to meet its financial obligations, including debt service (for capital project loans, etc.) and mandatory contributions to the teacher and employee retirement systems,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Craig J. Tice said.

Based on the governor's budget proposal released Jan. 22, administrators are now anticipating Marcellus will face a budget gap of $1,089,721 for the 2013-14 school year. To close that gap, administrators have three options: raise local taxes, cut expenses or dip into the district’s fund balance. As Board members and administrators weigh these options, they’d like to know what voters are thinking.

Is maintaining excellence in school programming at Marcellus more important than a tax increase? Less important?

“We want the district budget to reflect the priorities in the community as much as possible,” Dr. Tice said.

The 10-question, online survey asks respondents about their relationship to the district (for example, do they have children enrolled in Marcellus schools?); their level of participation in Board of Education elections; and the percentage of property tax increases they’re willing to shoulder in 2013-14.

Let your voice be heard!