of the Horseheads Central School District BUDGET …

1 The Horseheads Central School DistrictMay 2016 NewsBUDGET EDITIONVOTE!Tuesday, May 177am-9pmBig Flats/Ridge Road/High SchoolBallot itemsProposition 1: Adoption of the 2016-17 School $73,737,117 Proposition 2: Purchase of $1,100,000 for six 65-passenger buses and two wheelchair-accessible busesBoard of Education candidates are running for three seats. See page snapshot $73,737,117 BUDGET to BUDGET increase: Tax Levy: Estimated Tax Rate: -$ per $1,000 of assessed valueProposed BUDGET includes decrease in tax levy Dear Community Members: On May 17, voters in the Horseheads Central School District will consider a proposed BUDGET for 2016-17 that increases spending by and decreases the tax levy by proposed spending plan reinstates several programs and positions eliminated in recent years and adds additional positions and services to the District s educational program.

2 It also reduces the District s reliance on fund balance. We ve been through some difficult financial times in our District in recent years. This BUDGET improves the education we offer our children, and it is also a step toward repositioning the BUDGET for long term finan-cial BUDGET complies with the state tax cap, resulting in a decrease in the tax levy of $16,231, or The tax levy is the total amount of taxes to be collected by the District in 2016-17. We are able to add programs while seeing a decrease in the tax levy because of reductions in other areas and because the state has eliminated the GEA, or Gap Elimination Adjustment. The GEA reduced districts allotment of state aid since 2009 in order to meet the state s BUDGET shortfall.

3 For the 2016-17 School year, the Legislature eliminated the GEA. On May 17, please vote on the 2016-17 School BUDGET . Thank ,James JacobusBoard of Education PresidentVote May 17 Students across the District made hundreds of cards for Meals on Wheels for Valentines Day this year. 2$20,000$15,000$10,000$5,0000 Average per pupil expenditures: 2013-14 The most recent information available from the New York State Education Department, from 2013-14, shows expenditures per pupil in Horse-heads to be nearly $5,500 less than the state aver-age and $4,200 less than similar Street first-grader Kelsie Lewis reads a poem to Principal Patricia Sotero and a classmate on Poem in Your Pocket Day April York StatePer PupilCost$21,812 Similar DistrictsPer Pupil Cost$20,538 The Horseheads District strives to provide a qual-ity, well-rounded education to all students, with an eye toward continuous improvement.

4 Students in the Horseheads District consistently achieve at a rate equal to or higher than the state average and schools in the region. Our teachers and administrators work to not just improve achievement, but to increase opportunities for students to help them be successful in School , college, work, and beyond. Initiatives in Horseheads include the following: Rigorous and relevant curriculum Innovation in and out of the classroom through student-driven programs, project-based learning, MakerSpace, collaborations with area businesses and organizations, and more. Effective, innovative professional development Long-term strategic plan and facilities planning Technology across the District with planned upgrades using Smart Schools Bond Act funds Character education programs with a Growth Mindset approachFor achievement data and other District information, visit pride Horseheads High School was included in the 2015 Advanced Placement (AP ) Honor Roll for maintain- ing excellence and increasing opportunities.

5 Horseheads art students earn more Scholastic Art Awards than any other District in the eight county region. This year, nearly 25% of the honored works were from Horseheads students. Horseheads is one of just five districts nationwide chosen to pilot the Harmony Bridge program, con- necting students to senior citizens through music. Music students in grades 6-12 performed at ten adult living facilities throughout the region this year. In 2015-16, 21 Varsity athletic teams were honored for having a cumulative average of 90% or above. Five teams earned sectional championships. For the seventh year, the District received the Titanium with Honors Safety Excellence Award from Utica Mu- tual Insurance, the company s highest award.

6 The District s transportation department has a passing rate for bus inspections. The state inspects School buses twice a year. Since enrolling in an energy management program in 1997, the District has avoided more than $ million in energy costs, a total cost avoidance of For the fiscal year to date, the District has achieved a cost avoidance of $353,000, or and value in HorseheadsFor achievement data and other District information, visit Pupil Cost$16,3343 Comparative ExpendituresDescription2015-162016-17 Dollar ChangePercent ChangeAdministrative $10,092,368 $10,536,830 $444, $54,334,823 $54,811,990 $477,167 $9,214,000 $8,388,297 -$825,703 ,641,191 73,737,117 95,926 RevenuesDescription2015-162016-17 Dollar ChangePercent ChangeTaxes/STAR$35,323.

7 835 $35,307,604 -$16, Aid$30,652,126 $31,923,940 $1,271,814 *$3,130,102 $3,620,324 $490,222 Reserves - Retirement Contributions $0 $300,000 $300,000 Reserves - Employee Benefits Accrued Liability $0$85,249$85, Fund Balance$4,535,128 $2,500,000 -$2,035, $73,641,191 $73,737,117 $95,926 *Other includes items such as interest, rental income, tax penalties, donations and gifts, and gate 1: Adoption of the 2016-17 School BudgetRestorations: Two elementary art teaching positions Two library media specialist positions Grade 4 swimming program High School off-campus physical education K-12 intramurals Increase in access to extra-curricular program- ming for students with disabilities Department and grade level chairpeople One administrative position at the High School Three modified athletic teams/coaches - boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball Increase in marching band competition Two cleaning positions Repair/replace cycles for music, physical educa- tion, athletics, and technology Increases in field trips.

8 Extra-curricular stipends, athletic uniforms, transportation parts, and facilities equipment Increase School business administrator position to full timeKey elements in the 2016-17 proposed budgetAdditions: Four elementary Response to Intervention (RTI) teachers One additional pre-kindergarten classroom Increase in BOCES services: math curriculum mentor, itinerant special education, and technology support Equipment for computer-based testing GST BOCES STEM Academy Transportation truckReductions: Breakage (savings in salary and benefits from retirements) Bonding bus purchases rather than purchasing them with cash on hand Right-sizing BUDGET items based on historical trends Visit for more information, including videos from BUDGET !

9 Tuesday, May 177am-9pm4 2015-16 2016-17 Dollar PercentDescription BUDGET Proposed Change ChangeBoard of Education $12,000 $12,000 $0 Meeting $115,561 $15,282 -$100,279 s Office $353,886 $311,699 -$42,187 , Regular School $1,696,096 $1,796,816 $100,720 Administration $973,213 $981,264 $8,051 $25,000 $24,000 -$1,000 Collection $600 $5,620 $5,020 Fiscal Agent Fees $5,000 $5,000 $0 $44,625 $44,625 $0 Resources $453,875 $482,213 $28,338 Information and Services $73,583 $74,383 $800 Printing and Mailing $309,656 $351,328 $41,672 Central Data Processing $1,446,954 $1,622,203 $175,249 $189,000 $189,000 $0 Dues $11,900 $12,048 $148 Administration/Capital $1,341,176 $1,432,951 $91,775 Development/Supervision $732,221 $802,040 $69,819 Research, Planning, and Evaluation $191,747 $185,925 -$5,822 Benefits $2,116,275 $2,188,433 $72,158 Administrative $10,092,368 $10,536,830 $444,462 administrative component refers to all expenditures related to the operation of the District , including all School offices; the board of education; District offices such as the superintendent s office, business office, and human resources; legal fees.

10 The District s portion of the GST BOCES administrative BUDGET ; and salaries and benefits of all School administrators, supervisors and their support staffs. Employee salaries in the Administrative area are included in the following BUDGET lines: Superintendent s Office, Supervision/Regular School , Business Administration, Human Resources, Public Informa-tion and Services, Curriculum Development, and - AdministrativeProposition 1: Adoption of the 2016-17 School BudgetKey Elements The decrease in the District Meeting line is because the District budgeted for possible additional votes (merger and consolidation votes) using new voting machines as required by law in the current year.