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HCS Faces 'Challenges' While
Preparing 2008-2009 Budget
Creating a budget for the Hamilton Central Schools District
is never an easy process. But, members of the Board of
Education and administrators never thought it would be as
challenging as it was this year.
After overcoming a variety of what Superintendent Diana
Bowers called "challenges", the district presented the public
with a detailed explanation of the $10,602,046 budget
Wednesday night. The budget, includes a 5.99 percent
increase in school taxes for property owners in the district.
Still, Hamilton's tax on true value is the 19th lowest of 20
districts in the region.
"This is a fiscally sound budget for a very difficult year," said
Bowers.
Among the challenges faced during the budget process,
which Bowers said began last November, was the potential
loss of $250,000 in state aid. But, as an agreement on a state
budget was reached this week, HCS learned $210,000 had
been restored..
Additionally, the officials had to deal with an adjustment in
the district's "wealth factor". The 2005 reassessment of
properties in the village increased that factor and decreased
state aid.
The board also had to cope with an adjustment in
attendance figures. Bowers said there were difficulties
between HCS computers and those at the BOCES regional
center. As a result, Hamilton's average daily attendance was
adjusted downward, reducing funding.
"W hope all of the surprises are done," said Bowers.
The preliminary budget increases spending by 5.1 percent
over the existing budget. Bowers said part of that increase
can be attributed hefty increases in what the district pays for
diesel fuel and heating oil. She said costs for both increased
by 20 percent.
Preparing 2008-2009 Budget
Creating a budget for the Hamilton Central Schools District
is never an easy process. But, members of the Board of
Education and administrators never thought it would be as
challenging as it was this year.
After overcoming a variety of what Superintendent Diana
Bowers called "challenges", the district presented the public
with a detailed explanation of the $10,602,046 budget
Wednesday night. The budget, includes a 5.99 percent
increase in school taxes for property owners in the district.
Still, Hamilton's tax on true value is the 19th lowest of 20
districts in the region.
"This is a fiscally sound budget for a very difficult year," said
Bowers.
Among the challenges faced during the budget process,
which Bowers said began last November, was the potential
loss of $250,000 in state aid. But, as an agreement on a state
budget was reached this week, HCS learned $210,000 had
been restored..
Additionally, the officials had to deal with an adjustment in
the district's "wealth factor". The 2005 reassessment of
properties in the village increased that factor and decreased
state aid.
The board also had to cope with an adjustment in
attendance figures. Bowers said there were difficulties
between HCS computers and those at the BOCES regional
center. As a result, Hamilton's average daily attendance was
adjusted downward, reducing funding.
"W hope all of the surprises are done," said Bowers.
The preliminary budget increases spending by 5.1 percent
over the existing budget. Bowers said part of that increase
can be attributed hefty increases in what the district pays for
diesel fuel and heating oil. She said costs for both increased
by 20 percent.
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