2008-2009 School District Budget
Thank you for
your support!
Voters
approve school district budget
Port Jervis
residents overwhelmingly approved the proposed 2008-09
budget of
$58,562,024 on May 20. The official tally was
1,225 yes votes to 875 no votes.
The spending plan
carries a 2.9
tax levy increase - the lowest tax increase in over a decade.
"I thank the community for supporting the budget," said
Superintendent John Xanthis. "Your continued support will allow
us to take another step forward for our school district and our
students."
"Good things are happening in our district. Port Jervis is now a
District in Good Standing, three of our schools are designated
as High Performing schools, and student assessment scores
district wide are increasing," he said. "While we've made great
strides recently, we still have a lot to accomplish, and thanks
to your support, we can continue to move the district forward."
Xanthis says the budget offers something for all students. Middle school
students will benefit from more academic assistance programs,
high school students will have more course offerings, elementary
students will enjoy smaller classes and new playground
equipment, and athletes in some sports programs will get new
equipment.
The cost for many of the student programs is being provided
by Foundation Aid. “The increase in state aid is particularly
important this year because it will allow us to continue to make
needed improvements across the district and to gradually restore
staff lost five years ago, “ said Superintendent John Xanthis.
School taxes for the average Deerpark
homeowner with an assessed property value of $81,735 will
increase approximately $104 for the year or $8.66 per month. In
Port Jervis, the average resident with an assessed property
value of $47,971 will see their school taxes increase by $79
for the year or $6.58 a month. These estimates do not include
STAR benefits.
Prior to the vote, the district
held a series of
community budget presentations
to provide taxpayers with detailed information about the
spending plan.
On Tuesday, May 20, district residents
voted on the following three separate
ballot items.
-
The 2008-09 School District Budget Passed-
voters approved the proposed $58,562,024 budget for the 2008-09 school year.
Official tally was 1,225 yes votes; 875 no votes.
-
Bus Proposition Passed
- The proposition to purchase four
65-passenger buses, one passenger van, one passenger van with
wheelchair accessibility, and one car at a maximum cost of
$515,938 also passed:
1,079
yes; 977 no
Ninety percent of the approved purchase price will be
returned to the district through state aid. This will reduce the projected district cost to $20,000 a year for
five years.
-
Board of Education
Election - Four of
the nine seats on the Port Jervis School District Board of
Education were up for election. Brandy Nicolette, Roger
Kalin, and William Smith were elected to serve
the full three-year terms. Their terms will begin July 1,
2008.
Earl Walker, Jr. was elected
to serve the one-year balance on the vacant board seat,
May 21, 2008 to June 30,
2009.
The unofficial
vote tallies
were as follows:
•
Brandy Nicolette -1, 820
•
Roger Kalin - 1,659
•
William Smith - 1,492
•
Earl Walker Jr. - 1,376
•
Ron Cecchini - 1,057
•
Robert Habig* - 518
•
Brendan Hess* - 476
•
Ken Jones* - 435
*Designates incumbents
Click here for more information on the
candidates.
|
Voters asked to provide feedback
|
A voluntary exit poll
of voters was conducted at polling locations May 20. A short questionnaire was handed out to
voters. All survey results will be anonymous: no names will be asked or attached to voters' written responses.
The purpose of the exit poll is to gather feedback from voters
and to gain insight into what residents think about their
schools and the budget. This feedback will be used by the Board
of Education and administration to make future decisions.
Budget Newsletter,
(PDF)
Click here to view the
2008-09 budget
Community Budget Presentation Schedule
Answers to
frequently asked budget questions
Click here for
a glossary of budget terms
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