Fitness Center Runs A Deficit

The program part of Waterville Central School District’s budget takes up about 50 percent of the overall expenses.

At last week’s WCS Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Zach Abbe said the projections in the program section of the budget will increase $445,394, or almost 4 percent.

The total cost is expected to be $11,648,000.

In putting together next year’s budget, the Abbe and the Board are looking at using the full 3.09 percent increase allowed in the tax levy without asking for a majority vote of 60 percent.

But even with that increase and an expected 1 percent increase in a portion of state aid, Abbe said that would not cover the additional costs just in programs.

He said the projections are based on keeping what is offered and what can be offered.

“This is not done with a cut mindset,” Abbe said.

The biggest portion of programs is teaching at just under $5 million.

This area does not include expenses for Special Education programs, which is a separate category.

Abbe commended the Board for not using federal pandemic funds to pay for ...