AVCS presents budget update to local taxpayers

KEESEVILLE | On April 23 at the Ausable Valley Grange, the AuSable Valley Central School (AVCS) Board of Education (BOE) held a community budget forum to inform local taxpayers about the proposed budget and answer any questions they may have about the district's current financial situation. In this proposed budget, the BOE is looking to exceed the tax cap by 12%, which would mean a potential $143 increase for taxpayers over the cap, with a slight decrease for those eligible for STAR or Enhanced STAR, based on a $100,000 assessed value. Taxpayers would be looking at a projected tax rate of $13.33 at 12%, compared to $12.61 at 5.95%. Also in the proposed budget, there are a number of transitions, reductions, and reallocations. For instance, the district plans to transition sixth-grade students at both Keeseville Elementary School (KES) and AuSable Forks Elementary School (AFES) to the middle/high school. After monitoring enrollment, which has declined significantly at both elementary schools and the middle/high school, it was determined that several class-size reductions could be made, including the 2nd and 4th grades at KES and 1st grade (through attrition) at AFES. Also at AFES, there's a possibility for class size reductions for 2nd and 3rd grades. The class size reductions will allow the district office to move to the second floor of AFES. Several positions might be in jeopardy, with some due to attrition and others due to enrollment. For instance, at the elementary schools, the overall plan is to reduce a music teacher position through attrition and an art position by sharing the music and art teachers between the elementary schools due to the decreased number of sections. An elementary technology position would also be eliminated, along with a .3 counseling and BHSN (Behavioral Health Services North), which were both previously grant-funded. At the middle/high school, the plan is to reduce staffing by eliminating a 10-month typist position and a special education position through attrition. A budget hearing is currently scheduled for May 11 at 6 p.m. in the middle school/high school auditorium. On May 19, the budget vote will be held in the middle school/high school cafeteria from noon to 8 p.m. If the budget is defeated, the board will then decide whether to hold a revote on the third Tuesday in June or adopt a contingency budget. In New York, school districts may exceed their state-calculated property tax levy limit by obtaining approval from 60% of voters on a proposed budget. If the vote fails, the district must adopt a budget with a tax levy no higher than the previous year's, leading to further reductions in programming and opportunities for our students. "The proposed budget reflects a responsible approach, including approximately $1.3 million in reductions while preserving important opportunities for our students. However, with limited state aid and a capped tax levy, the district cannot sustain its current programs without additional support," AVCS Superintendent Mike Francia stated. "By approving a tax levy above the cap, the community will help avoid further cuts that would directly impact students, including college courses, electives, extracurricular activities, athletics, and music and art programs. This approach allows us to balance fiscal responsibility with the maintenance of a quality education for our students." For more information or updates, visit avcs.org/budget.To ask questions or voice concerns, contact the AVCS Board of Education at avcsboard@avcsk12.org.

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AVCS presents budget update to local taxpayers

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