District asking residents for guidance in online budget 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 2014-15?

Here’s your chance to weigh in.

Marcellus Central School District officials are once again 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 limit.

The tax levy limit law, which went into effect in 2011, restricts how school districts can increase their tax levies. Each district determines its 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 in the process of calculating the tax levy limit for 2014-15, but estimates it will be around 2 percent. Anything at or below this limit will require approval from just a simple majority (greater than a 50 percent) of voters. 

In 2013, 71 percent of Marcellus voters approved a 2.9 percent tax levy increase, which was under the maximum levy limit of 3.9 percent allowed under the tax cap law. Based on the governor's budget proposal released Jan. 21, administrators are now anticipating Marcellus will face a budget gap for the 2014-15 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,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Craig J. Tice said. “Over the past four years, Marcellus has lost nearly $8 million in New York state school aid, thanks to the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) and this has shifted more of the burden for funding the school system from the state to the local taxpayer. This is why we want local input.”

The 11-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 2014-15.

A new question this year asks the residents if the district should consider a capital improvement project for the senior high school. These enhancements would include upgraded science classrooms/laboratories and a single point of entry to separate the academic classrooms from the common areas (gymnasium and auditorium), to increase safety and security at the school.

Let your voice be heard!