What YOU Need to Know: NF & NT School Budget Votes
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By: Madison Ruffo
Analysis
On May 15, Niagara County taxpayers will take to the polls to vote on how their tax dollars will help their respective school districts. For those in Niagara Falls City School District and North Tonawanda, here’s the highlights of the 2018-19 proposed budget changes you should expect to see on the ballot.
Niagara Falls City School District
Proposition to increase the total amount to $144,214,871, a 2.34 per- cent increase from the previous year, with no increase to the tax levy.
Proposition to authorize the lease-purchase of a maximum of $650,000 in trucks and tractors, $140,000 of which would be paid off in the 2018-19 academic year.
The Niagara Falls City School District would like to note that if this proposed budget does not pass it could force possible cuts to student supplies, programs and transportation as well as place restrictions on community use of school buildings.
Voting will be open on Tuesday, May 15 from noon to 9 p.m. To find out where you can vote, call District Clerk Ruthel Dumas at (716) 286- 4204.
North Tonawanda School District
Proposition to increase the total amount to $77,887,449, which is $4,395,836 more than the previous academic year. In addition, they pro- pose to increase the tax levy by 1.98 percent, totaling $28,601,055. This increase would add an estimated additional cost of $44.18 to a $100,000 household.
Proposition to replace a 22-passenger wheelchair bus and 6-passenger vehicle to be used for student transportation.
Proposition for a $100,000 Aidable Capital Outlay Project, of which New York State would reimburse 84 percent, to address security measures in school buildings.
This proposed budget would also restore art classes for kindergarten and rst grade, fourth-grade band, elementary counselors, special edu- cation teachers for grades K-6, and a 21st century skills librarian to assist grades 4-6 in their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) curriculum.
Voting for North Tonawanda School District will also occur on Tuesday, May 15 from noon to9 p.m., and will be located at the Alumni Student Activity Center, 405 Meadow Dr.
