It is difficult to believe the Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election, to be held on Tuesday, May 16th, is less than one week away. The time has certainly passed quickly since we started the budget process last October to the Board of Education’s adoption of the 2006/07 Proposed Budget on April 10, until today. One of the reasons the time has flown by for us is that Jane, Joe, and I have been very busy on the “Budget Tour.” We have met with the faculties and support staff in all of the buildings, the Transportation Department, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Cataract and Minisink and Dikeman Fire Companies, the SAS, GIS, and CJH Parent Teacher Organizations, the soccer parents, and the Board of Education’s Public Budget Hearing at Main Street School, and we are still looking for other venues in the few days remaining. One important question that has come up at each of these meetings is, “How can the Proposed 2006/07 Budget be lower than an Austerity/Contingency Budget by $241,630?”

You may recall I attempted to explain this question in this column last week, but since it continues to be asked, I will address it again:

1. Traditionally, Austerity/Contingency Budgets are less than a Proposed Budget. When residents of
our community hear that our Proposed Budget is actually less than an Austerity/Contingency Budget,
it is something to which they are not accustomed. Thus the obvious question, “How can that be?”

2. New York State establishes a state guideline, which each district must follow when an Austerity/Contingency Budget is to be put in place. When the state formula is applied, these guidelines stipulate the maximum amount a Budget may increase if the voters defeat the Proposed Budget. Using the State guidelines, the Goshen District Austerity/Contingency Budget amounts to $241,630 more than the Proposed Budget, which would translate to a 5.74% increase on the tax levy.

3. Last year we made a promise to the community that we would keep the tax levy increase for 2006/07 in line with our current tax levy increase, which is 4.8%. We worked very hard to reach that targeted figure. Admittedly, next year the figure is 4.97%, but no one could have predicted how much energy costs would rise. The impact has been profound on our District. Increased student enrollment has also been a factor.

Our tax levy increase would have been right on the target at 4.8% or perhaps even less, had it not been for the energy and growth factors. We are still very close to our promise.

With May 16th right around the corner, I would once again like to encourage District residents to exercise their right to vote. If you still have questions with regard to next year’s Proposed Budget, please stop by or call my office at 294-2410. We will answer all of your questions. It is important that you understand the Budget and that you vote. Please mark your calendars for the Budget Vote on May 16th, from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Main Street School.


Roy Reese
Superintendent of Schools