Waterville Central School District will raise the tax levy for the 2024-25 budget 2.5 percent.
At a special meeting Feb. 27, the Board agreed on a 2.5% levy increase, or an increase of approximately $147,686, according to Board President Dan Nichols.
Last year, the total tax levy was $5,907,467. This increase brings the total levy for 2024- 2025 to approximately $6,055,153.
The levy is the amount raised by property taxes; individual tax bills will vary from the 2.5 percent increase depending on other factors. Work continued on the budget, estimated at $22,268,606, at last week’s meeting.
That amount is 6.25% higher than this year's $20,959,619 budget.Board members will use the District’s fund balance to close the gap between expenses and revenues.
One issue they had to contend with is not having debt from a Capital Project, which helps with the tax cap formula.
WCS did not file an extension for the last project where there was an issue with flooring in a classroom.
Last week’s discussion included a look at enrollment trends since 2015 (declining) and the increase in economically disadvantaged students and those with disabilities.
Board member Steve Stanton also said WCS needs to focus on the impact to specific classes that the pandemic had.
WCS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Spring said the proposed budget maintains all instructional positions and support staff, including replacing the English teacher and Library
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