Elwood's Proposed Budget Within Tax Levy Cap, Includes Full-Day Kindergarten

Submitted by the Elwood School District:

The Elwood School District Board of Education has adopted a proposed budget for the 2015-16 school year that represents a spending increase of 1.45 percent and a tax levy increase of 2.09 percent, which falls within the district’s tax levy cap.

While the Board had discussed the possibility of going over the cap for the past year, an influx of state aid, a large reduction in contributions to the Teachers’ Retirement System and continued budget refinements, among other factors, have allowed the district to stay within the cap.

The proposed spending plan sets the path for the restoration of a number of programs and initiatives that were cut in the 2011-12 spending plan. This includes a move from half-day to full-day kindergarten, as well as several initiatives at each of the schools, including additional English as a Second Language staffing, per state regulations. The spending plan also includes the addition of classroom-leveled libraries at Harley Avenue Primary and James H. Boyd Intermediate schools to help foster reading growth, stamina and independence.

At Elwood Middle School, the Chromebook initiative will be expanded to include seventh-graders and the district will continue to develop the Library Media Center for student use. At the high school, more electives will be offered to students in place of study halls. The budget includes funding for one additional teacher for these courses.

For a detailed list of what is being proposed for all schools, please visit the district’s website, www.elwood.k12.ny.us, and visit the “Budget/Financial Information” page. The budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 19. Polls will be open from 2-10 p.m. in the Elwood Middle School cafeteria.

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