Budget Information
2012-2013 School Budget Information
CLICK HERE for the 2012-2013 Budget Calendar
School Budget Vote: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
CABC meetings used as a forum to discuss the 2012-2013 school budget
$77 million proposed budget comes with a 2.35 percent tax levy increase
Almost three dozen people attended the first of the Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee (CABC) meetings to discuss the financial position of the school district and its proposed 2012-2013 budget.
Business Administrator Denise Cedeira-Thornton and Superintendent of Schools Daniel A. Teplesky facilitated the meeting and provided attendees with an overview of this year's challenges. These include the constraints the district must follow to comply with the rules of the new tax levy cap, projected increases in health insurance premiums and a higher percentage for required retirement contributions.
The forum allowed community members to share their suggestions for creating a fiscally responsible budget that
balances the quality of educational programs and the tax burden on property
owners. The CABC also gave participants a chance to ask questions and delve
deeper into the "revenue-driven" formula that is being used to create the
proposed budget.
So far, the district has a projected $3.472,981 budget deficit. That calculation is based on the proposed $77,384,789 budget figure for the 2012-2013 school year. This represents an increase in the district's tax levy of 2.35 percent - a figure that is within its legal limit under the new tax cap law. As the budget formation process continues, discussions will include what cuts will have to be made to make up for the monetary shortfall. Community members are encouraged to attend the future CABC meetings and BOE Budget Workshops.
All Citizens' Advisory Budget Committee meetings will be held in the RJK Middle School cafeteria at 7 p.m.
CABC Meeting #1 - PPT Presentation - topics included: Modified Rollover Budget, Enrollment and Elementary.
CABC Meeting #2 - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 - Topics include: Athletics, RJK Middle School, and Monticello High School (Music will be presented as part of the RJK and MHS budgets).
Board of Education Budget Work Session - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, RJK Middle School cafeteria, 6 p.m.
CABC Meeting #3 - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - Topics include: Facilities, Transportation, Technology Department and Curriculum/Staff Development
Board of Education Budget Work Session - Tuesday, March 13, 2012, RJK Middle School cafeteria, 6 p.m.
CABC Meeting #4 - Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - Topics include: BOCES Services, Pupil Personnel Services, Undistributed, Benefits and Staffing
Board of Education Budget Work Session, Discussion and Adoption - Thursday, March 29, 2012, RJK Middle School cafeteria, 6 p.m.
NOTE: CABC and BOE work session cancellations will be announced on School Closing Hotline at 796-5006 and posted on the district website. Snow day make-up dates will be posted on the district website. For more information or questions, please call 794-7700, ext. 70511.
Tax Levy Limit "Cap" Fact Sheets
The following materials are provided by Questar III and Capital Region BOCES.
Flyer 1 - The Three Tax Levy Numbers You Need to Know (PDF)
Flyer 2 - Tax Levy Limit Formula - A Detailed Explanation
Understanding NY's Property Tax Levy Cap as it relates to public schools
CLICK HERE (PDF) for the Capital Region and Questar III BOCES publication that details the new tax levy cap law and explains its effect on the 2012-2013 school budget process.
CLICK HERE (PDF) for the Tax Levy Limit Formula.
New York State's Property Tax Cap - A Citizens Guide - Empire Center
The New 3 Rs: Reducing, Restructuring and Redesigning - NYSSBA (PDF)
Office of the State Comptroller Local Government and School Accountability - NYS website
NY State Department of Taxation and Finance - NYS website
Understanding the Tax Levy Cap - SCBOCES (PDF)
New York’s property tax cap math not as simple as 2 percent (1/22/12 - Auburn Pub)
CLICK HERE for a list of definitions of commonly used budget terms (PDF).
Monticello School District
2011-2012 Adopted Budget
CLICK HERE
Monticello School District 2010-2011 Adopted Budget
CLICK HERE
For More Local, Regional and State Budget News CLICK HERE
VOTER INFORMATION - Budget Vote: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
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 17, 2011.
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: Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Polling Locations for the Budget and School Board Election
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
Duggan Community Center, 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 will be available 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. 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.)
Workshop for Prospective School Board Members, April 2, 7-9 p.m., SCBOCES Conference Room, 6 Wierk Avenue in Liberty
Sponsored by the Sullivan County School Boards Association.
The objective of this free orientation is to familiarize individuals who are considering service on a local board of education with the responsibilities, time commitments and decisions of school boards.
Topics will include the following:
1. Legal/Practical Qualifications for School Board Service
2. Roles/Responsibilities of a School Board Member
3. Making Decisions on the Board
4. School District Relationships
5. Mandatory Training for School Board Members
Reservations are required by March 30. Please contact Kris Roth at 845-701-3953 or krisroth@toast.net.
Note: attendees should park and enter on the State Street side side of the SCBOCES building.
Board Education Election
In addition to voting on the proposed school budget on May 15, 2012, residents will also have the opportunity to vote for candidates running for a seat on the Board of Education. Each prospective candidate is required to submit his/her completed petition to the Monticello Schools District Clerk by 5 p.m. on April 16, 2012.
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
Homeowners may reduce their school property taxes through the NYS School Tax Relief (STAR) program. MORE
Please note, schools do not administer the STAR program, it is run by NY State. For more information about STAR, visit www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/index.htm .
CLICK HERE for the 2012-2013 Budget Timeline from NYSSBA.
State IT audit shows proactive example of cost savings REPORT
The NY State Comptroller's Office conducted an Information Technology (IT) audit of Monticello Schools and found cost savings for 2008-2010. This is one example of how the district is looking to reduce waste and save money.
CLICK HERE for the THR story about our IT audit titled, "Audit applauds Sullivan district."