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Tax and Budget Information

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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:MHS students

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)

Budget Flyer 2 (en Espaņol)

4-page Budget Newsletter

Budget Flyer 1

Budget Flyer 1 (en Espaņol)

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 seriesCommunity meeting 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)CABC 2.17.10
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) Budget logo
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.