shortcut to main content
Monticello Central School District logo
Monticello Central School District logo
Monticello Central School District logo
Project Excel Preschool home pagespacerEmma C. Chase Elementary home pagespacerGeorge L. Cooke Elementary home pagespacerCornelius Duggan Elementary home pagespacerKenneth L. Rutherford Elementary home pagespacerRobert J. Kaiser Middle School home pagespacerMonticello High School home page

Tax and Budget Information

border graphic

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 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 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)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)
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

Lagged state aid restored

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) 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