Tax and Budget Information
2010-11 School Budget Information - Budget Vote: Tuesday, May 18, 2010
2010-2011 Budget Calendar VIEW
CLICK HERE to view the Elementary School Closure Analysis (PDF)
CLICK HERE to view the Superintendent's February Bulletin with an important letter about what's ahead this budget season.
District prepares for challenging budget season
Monticello Schools has maintained a good financial standing through theses tough economic times. As district officials meet to begin crafting the 2010-11 school budget, they will have to consider a number of financial challenges that could impact the district not just during the next school year, but for several years ahead. With our state's fiscal crisis threatening the financial stability of schools, we must work together to get through these difficult challenges to ensure our future success.
To help clarify the meanings of some commonly used budget terminology, CLICK HERE for a list of definitions (PDF).
CABC series addresses the 2010-2011 budget formation
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 will be 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. For
more info, contact the district office at 794-7700, ext. 70511.
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)
Topics included pupil
personnel services, technology, curriculum and staff development. Please check
back soon for the PowerPoint presentation.
All 2010 CABC meetings will be held in the RJK Middle School cafeteria at 7 p.m.
Monday, Mar. 22 - Topic: BOCES Services, Contract for Excellence, Undistributed, Benefits, Staffing
CABC meeting cancellations will be announced on the School Closing Hotline at 796-5006 and on the district web site. Snow dates will be posted on the district web site once they are scheduled.
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
Governor Paterson has paid back the 10% of school aid he lagged in December and the STAR monies he withheld in January. Previously, as part of the state's effort to keep it's budget solvent, 19 percent of the STAR (School Tax Relief) reimbursement monies had been withheld. For Monticello, that amounted to a $499,163 shortfall. Monticello was also lagged 10% of its December aid in the amount of $227,412. A total of $726,575 was received by Monticello.
Federal Race to the Top (RTTT) Grants Available
Race to the Top (RTTT) is a competitive U.S. Education Department grant that is open to State Education Departments. NY may be eligible to receive up to $700 million in funds. To qualify for RTTT, states and their participating school districts are required to focus on reforming and advancing the following areas:
• Adopting standards and
assessments that prepare students to succeed in college, the
workplace and the global economy.
• Building data systems that measure student growth and success
and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve
instruction.
• Recruiting, developing, rewarding and retaining effective
teachers and principals - especially where they are needed most.
• Turning around the lowest-achieving schools.
For more information about RTTT
and for details on NY State's RTTT application, visit
the NY State Education Department (NYSED) web site
at
http://usny.nysed.gov/rttt.
Update on NY State and RTTT
(1/14/10)
CLICK HERE for the story, "Nearly all schools join state
application for federal funds" in the Times Herald-Record.
The State Comptroller has released a report with an overview of the Federal Stimulus monies - CLICK HERE to read.
Highlights from the State of the State speech by Governor Paterson
Reform Albany Act: Establish one independent
ethics commission overseeing all branches of state government; create a new
public campaign finance system; establish term limits of two four-year terms for
statewide office holders and six two-year terms for state senators and Assembly
members.
Excelsior Jobs Program: To replace the Empire
Zone program, the jobs program will focus on high-tech and clean-energy jobs.
Firms that create and maintain a set number of new jobs in New York for five
years will receive tax credits for a portion of the payroll costs.
Back-office Jobs: Make upstate New York the
preferred back office for corporate America.
Sustainable Neighborhoods Program: Local
officials will designate blighted homes for rehabilitation and sale to
first-time homeowners. With more than 23,000 vacant housing units, Buffalo will
serve as the starting point.
New Technology Seed Fund: $25 million to help
colleges advance research and strengthen their partnerships with the business
community.
MORE (1/7/10)
Setting the Record Straight
In a recent interview, Governor Paterson said that on average, 71 percent of school costs are administrative. The fact is, the average cost of all personnel in any given district is about 70 percent - an expense that is justified by the fact that schools are basically in the "people business." In Monticello, costs for personnel account for about 68 percent of the overall budget, with only 4.6 percent of that going toward administrative costs. During these tough economic and political times, it is important to make sure that you check the facts when you hear things in the media or from others. The Monticello Central School District strives to be transparent and honest with its community members. If you have any questions about the district's budget breakdown, or anything else for that matter, please contact us directly. We are the best, most accurate source of information. The administration office is located at 237 Forestburgh Road in Monticello, is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and can be reached via telephone at 845-794-7700.
Politicians will push for consolidation of some school services
CLICK HERE to read a story by Adam Bosch of the Times
Herald-Record.
CLICK HERE to read a story by Maury Thompson of the
Post-Star.
To read a series of letters from Governor David Paterson about his Deficit Reduction Plan (DRP) to address the fiscal crisis, CLICK HERE
2010-11 SCHOOL BUDGET and VOTER INFORMATION
Voter Registration
District residents who wish to register may do so, by appointment, between 9 a.m-noon. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. daily, except weekends and holidays, at the office of the District Clerk, Mary Ryan Buchholz, Administration Building, 237 Forestburgh Road in Monticello. Registration must take place five (5) days preceding the budget vote date and Board of Education election.
Residents can also register to vote with the main office secretary at each district school. 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. Such registration shall not take place less than five (5) days preceding the budget vote date, 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
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.
Budget Vote: Tuesday, May 18, 2010
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 Applications
Applications for absentee ballots
may be applied for at the office of the District Clerk.
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.
Anyone can pick-up multiple absentee ballot applications from
the District, although only the voter can personally pick-up an
absentee ballot. If the ballot is to be mailed, it must be
mailed to the voter.
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, work-related travel, vacationers, disabled)
absentee ballots are available.
Absentee ballots must be filed in the office of the District
Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on May 18. For more information call
Mary Ryan Buchholz at 794-7700, ext. 70501.
STAR Program Information
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.
Workshop for Prospective Board of Education Members, Wednesday, April 7, 7-9 p.m. in the Sullivan County BOCES’ Board Room, 6 Wierk Ave., Liberty
This Sullivan County School Boards
Association (SCSBA) workshop is for community residents who are
interested in becoming school board members. Topics include:
legal/practical qualifications for board service;
roles/responsibilities; decision-making; school district
relationships; and mandatory fiscal responsibility training. The
workshop is free, but registration is required. Contact Kris
Roth at 292-9039 or 701-3953 or via e-mail at
krisroth@toast.net by
April 5.
The May 18 ballot will include candidates for election to the
Monticello Board of Education.
Board of Education Petitions
Petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education will be available in March at the office of the District Clerk, located in the Central Administration Building, 237 Forestburgh Road, Monticello, NY.
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