Tax and Budget Information
2010-2011 School Budget Passes - Thank you for your support!
On May 18, residents went to the polls to vote on the 2010-2011 Monticello
School budget. With 1,040 yes votes to 934 no votes, residents passed the
$75,985,992 figure. The plan represents a decrease of -0.9 percent under the
current budget and a projected tax levy increase of 6 percent. Final tax
rate impact is determined in August when the Board of Education approves the tax
warrant.
Due to the large reduction in state aid funding, Monticello’s budget includes
the closure of the Duggan Elementary School in White Lake, the layoff of 61
full-time position, including three administrators, 46 teachers and 12 support
staff, and program cuts to College in the Classroom, International Baccalaureate
and student support services.
“I want to sincerely thank our community members, PTA, PTOs, Parent Advocacy
groups, Citizen’s Budget Committee, Administration and Board of Education, whose
support throughout this process has been invaluable,” said Superintendent of
Schools Dr. Patrick Michel. “This was truly a combined effort and a community
victory. It’s extremely encouraging that our community continues to support our
efforts and the direction we are leading our school district, even through these
difficult economic times.”
Also on the ballot were eleven Board of Education candidates running for the
seats of incumbents Richard Feller, Yvonne Housman and Barbara O’Rourke. Richard
Feller did not run for re-election. Each seat is for a three year term. The vote
tally is as follows:
Seat of incumbent Richard Feller
Helen Jersey: 425
Ellen Nesin: 1159
Robert L. Stewart: 595
Seat of incumbent Yvonne Housman
Yvonne Housman: 1029
Philip Borko: 595
Lillian Lubiano Armstead: 417
Seat of incumbent Barbara O’Rourke
Barbara O’Rourke: 428
Vincent Gilmore: 162
Sean Rieber: 492
Jody Shames Tedaldi: 465
Stacey Sharoff: 700
Proposition 2, which adjusted board member terms so there are an equal number of
seats for an equal number of years up for election each year, passed with 1105
yes votes to 720 no votes.
CLICK HERE to view the 2010-2011 Adopted School Budget
Budget Publications 2010
Budget Flyer 2 (with Budget Postcard)
Superintendent's May Budget Bulletin
Important Letter from the Superintendent
Due to significant cuts in state aid, the Board of Education adopted a proposed budget for 2010-11 that reorganizes our elementary schools. As of September 2010, the Duggan School will be closed. In addition, after weighing many factors, a plan is being formulated to move forward with the conversion of the Cooke and Rutherford Elementary Schools to a K-5 format. MORE
Monticello Board of Education adopts proposed budget for 2010-11
The Monticello Schools Board of Education adopted a $75,985,992 budget for the 2010-11 school year. The proposed budget represents a decrease of -0.9 percent from this year’s operating budget and a reduction of $3.4 million from the rollover budget. The proposed spending plan includes a projected tax levy increase of 6 percent. Final tax rate impact is determined in August when the Board of Education approves the tax warrant. Due to the large reduction in state aid funding, Monticello’s proposed budget includes closing the Duggan Elementary School, program cuts to College in the Classroom and the International Baccalaureate, and a layoff of 61 full-time positions. MORE
2010-2011 Budget Calendar VIEW
State delays $2.1 billion in aid payments to schools
STORY (Times Herald-Record) STORY (Buffalo News) STORY (Times Union)
NY State Overview: Teacher cuts coming in hundreds READ (Times Union)
CLICK HERE to view the NY State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Report of the Task Force on Maximizing School District Resources (PDF)
CLICK HERE to view the Elementary School Closure Analysis (PDF)
Capacity and Demographics study results MORE
CLICK HERE to view the Superintendent's April Bulletin with an important letter to the community.
New York not chosen for Race to the Top (RTTT) funding MORE
To help clarify the meanings of commonly used budget terminology, CLICK HERE for a list of definitions (PDF).
FYI: "How The Property Tax Works" booklet from the NYS Office of Real Property explains about the tax levy, tax rate, assessments and more (PDF). READ
FYI: "Property Tax Myths & Misunderstandings" booklet from the NYS Office of Real Property about STAR, assessment caps, equalization rates, etc. (PDF) READ
CABC series addresses the 2010-2011 budget
The Monticello Central School District is dealing with another difficult round
of budget planning as it hosts its series
of Citizens’ Advisory Budget
Committee (CABC) meetings. This year’s issues seem to be as challenging, if not
more, than previous years. With the difficult economic climate, the state’s
fiscal problems and the imperative to deliver a high-quality program for all
students in a cost effective way, it is important to navigate the tough road
ahead as a community. The conversations at the CABC meetings are essential to
getting a sense of the community’s priorities and values. During these meetings, community
members were asked for their input, ideas and suggestions for creating a
fiscally responsible budget that balances the quality of educational programs
for students and the tax burden on property owners.
CABC #1 meeting (2/11)
More than 100 people attended the February 11 CABC meeting at which district
officials and audience members spoke candidly about the budget challenges the
district is facing this year.
CLICK HERE to view the presentation (PDF) from the meeting which covered the
following topics: rollover budget, state aid, school enrollments, elementary,
middle and high schools' projections and cuts.
CABC #2 meeting (2/17)
Dozens of parents, students, teachers and community members filled the
RJK Middle School cafeteria to advocate for the importance of keeping the
district's high quality art, music and sports programs intact. Presentation
topics included music, athletics, facilities and transportation. One Monticello
High School parent, Ellen Nesin, expressed that she felt there really is "very little
room for cuts to student programs" and that if cuts were to be made, it would
hurt the quality of education.
CLICK HERE, or on the image to the right, to view the meeting presentation
(PDF).
CABC #3 meeting (3/11)
The third meeting of the CABC was well attended. District officials
discussed the budgets and cost for the following: pupil
personnel services, technology, curriculum and staff development.
CLICK HERE for the PowerPoint presentation.
CABC #4 meeting (3/22) - Topics included BOCES services, Contract for Excellence (C4E) undistributed funds, benefits and staffing. CLICK HERE for the PowerPoint presentation.
CLICK HERE to view the proposed tax levy options presented to the BOE for the 2010-11 budget (PDF)
Governor Paterson releases his 2010-2011 budget proposal
CLICK HERE to read the Executive Budget Summary
In the proposed 2010-11 State budget, the governor calls for a $1.1 billion cut
in aid to schools. For Monticello, that means an almost $2 million loss of funds
- which is a 6.8% decrease from the $26.9 million total aid.
CLICK HERE to read "Gov aims at schools, health" in the THR
CLICK HERE to read "Mid-Hudson schools hit with $49M state aid cut" in the
THR
CLICK HERE to view the School Aid Cut's Impact for Sullivan, Orange & Ulster
in the THR
CLICK HERE to read "Governor's Proposal: Curb spending, hike taxes to close
$7.4B budget gap" in the THR
CLICK HERE for the Governor's web site with his budget address, press releases and budget briefing book which includes a summary and complete details about the proposed 2010-2011 NY State budget.
Unfunded Mandate Relief Proposed by Governor
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he will propose a four-year moratorium on unfunded mandates in his 2010-11 Executive Budget to help keep property taxes down and ease the burden on local governments during an unprecedented fiscal crisis. The Governor will also propose long overdue reforms to the Wicks Law to lift contracting restrictions that increase costs for school districts and property taxpayers. FULL STORY
CLICK HERE to view the State Comptroller's overview about the Federal Stimulus.
2010-11 SCHOOL BUDGET and VOTER INFORMATION
Voter Registration Information
District residents who wish to register may do so by appointment, 9 a.m. - noon. and 1 p.m.-3 p.m. daily, except weekends and holidays, at the office of the District Clerk, Mary Ryan Buchholz, Administration Building, 237 Forestburgh Road in Monticello.
Residents can also register to vote with the main office secretary at each district school beginning May 3. Registration hours will be the same as the daily schedule of each school. Please bring valid identification and current proof of residency with your present address listed.
Registration must take place at least five (5) days preceding the budget vote date and Board of Education election which is Tuesday, May 18, 2010.
Voter Qualifications - Who may vote?
In order to be legally qualified
to vote in the annual school district budget vote and Board of
Education election, a person must be:
• A citizen of the United States
• Eighteen years of age or over
• A resident within the Monticello School District for a period
of at least 30 days immediately preceding the voting (this must
be your primary, permanent residence)
• Registered to vote
The registration of voters is valid for a period of four years.
If the resident has not voted within that period, they must
re-register. All new residents must register to vote. Residents
of the district who are registered to vote in a general election
are eligible to vote at school district meetings and elections
without further special school district registration.
Voting Locations
Polling Locations for the Budget and School Board Election - All locations are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Forestburgh
School Election District #5
Forestburgh Town Hall
Thompson
(Rock Hill Area) School Election District #4
Rock Hill Fire Department
Mamakating
School Election District #3
Emma C. Chase School, Wurtsboro
Bethel
School Election District #2
Cornelius Duggan School, White Lake
Thompson
(Remainder of the District)
School Election District #1
Robert J. Kaiser Middle School
If you have a question about where
you should vote, please call District Clerk Mary Ryan Buchholz
at 794-7700, ext. 70501
Absentee Ballot Application Information
Absentee ballot applications are
available at the office of the District Clerk, or by
CLICKING HERE (PDF). Completed applications must be received
by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the
election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.
Applications should be mailed to Mary Ryan Buchholz, Monticello
Central School District, 237 Forestburgh Road, Monticello, NY
12701.
Anyone can
pick-up multiple absentee ballot applications, but only the
voter can personally
pick-up an absentee ballot. If the ballot is to be mailed, it
must be mailed to the voter. Absentee ballots are available for
voters who are residents of the district but will not be able to
physically vote in their designated polling place (e.g. college
students, travel, disabled, etc.)
Board of Education Candidate Information
Petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education are available in the the District Clerk's office located in the Central Administration Building, 237 Forestburgh Road in Monticello.
All BOE candidates must file a petition and meet the following criteria:
1. Must be able to read and write
2. Must be a qualified voter of the district, that is, he/she
must be a citizen of the United States
3. At least 18 years or older
4. Not be a convicted felon or have been
adjudged incompetent
5. Must be and has been a resident of the
district for at least one year prior to the
election but need not be a taxpayer
6. May be the only member of his/her family on the school board
(defined as those within the same household)
7. May not simultaneously hold another
incompatible public office
8. Must not have been removed from a school district office
within one year of the election
9. May not be a current employee of the district
STAR Tax Relief Program Information
All area residents who own their own homes can reduce their school property taxes through the New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) program - regardless of age or income. MORE
Please note, schools do not administer the STAR program, it is run by NY State. For more information about STAR, visit http://www.tax.state.ny.us/star/2007/ or http://www.orps.state.ny.us/star/index.cfm or http://www.orps.state.ny.us/star/ex/index.htm.