(Photo via the Homer Central School District Facebook Page).
The Homer Central School Board of Education (BOE) met Tuesday evening to discuss the budget for the upcoming school year and several other propositions that will be up for vote on May 17th.
Residents will be able to cast their votes from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the high school on 80 S. West Rd.
Rundown of Propositions
Proposition 1 deals with the budget, which is proposed to increase $121,268 to a total of $44,387,420 for the 2022-2023 school year. This change comes with no tax increase, with the difference being made up by revenue from the Pre-K program rather than an increase to taxpayers. The BOE also provided information on past spending, indicating that 79% of tax dollars go directly to instruction costs.
Proposition 2 concerns the leasing of seven buses for terms not to exceed five years at an amount of $820,000 or less. The plan will keep maintenance and repair costs for the 66-passenger buses down over the 5-year term.
Proposition 3 covers an increase in the library tax from $196,165 to $203,923. It will be collected by the district and dispersed to the trustees of Philips Free Public Library in Homer.
Proposition 4 would authorize the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund over 10 years, in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000. The funds would come from surpluses from the general fund at the end of each fiscal year, funds transferred from other existing reserves, and/or other legally available funds available to the district. The reserve could be used to make renovations, repairs, and new improvements to district buildings and facilities over the next 10 years.
The final item that will appear on the ballot is the filling of three vacancies on the BOE. Board members hold their seats for three years, and the terms of Aaron Bouwens, Keith Fagerheim and Shanise Riley are ending. Running again is Aaron Bouwens, with challengers Amy Kida and Eddie Maslin also joining the race this year.
