Peekskill Schools Budget Would Raise Taxes 3.6%
The $78.4 million budget adopted by the Peekskill Board of Education last week would raise taxes 3.66% for city residents.
School officials opted to utilize $4.06 million from the district’s fund balance to keep the tax levy within New York State’s mandated tax cap. The district still has approximately $4 million at its disposal.
Despite attempts to limit staff reductions, several positions are slated to be cut in the spending plan that will be presented to voters on May 21. A public hearing is set for May 7, although few changes are often made once a budget is deemed acceptable by the Board of Education.
Positions facing the axe are: four high school language teachers; the elementary school-wide librarian; and director of reading. In addition, only four of five vacancies being created by retirements will be filled, and building secretaries will be required to take one month off without pay.
The 2013-14 budget increase spending by 5.5%, or $4.07 million, to deal with rising pension and health insurance costs and unfunded state mandates.
To receive Basic and Enhanced Star school property tax exemptions, residents must file paperwork by May 1.
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