Ossining School District Lowers Tax Levy by Applying Fund Balance Surplus

The Ossining UFSD Board of Education has set the district’s tax levy at an amount that is lower than projected for 2017-18 due to a larger-than-usual fund balance. Depending on the town, taxpayers may see a reduction in school taxes as a result of this lower levy.

(It is important to note that if your property’s assessed value increased, then you may not have a decrease in your tax bill.)

‘Fund balance’ is the planned surplus that results after the books are closed on the school year. For the 2016-17 school year, the district’s surplus was higher than anticipated because expenses were lower than planned. Therefore, the Board of Education has returned this money to taxpayers in the form of a lower tax levy.

Lower expenses (than projected for the 2016-17 budget) occurred in several areas, including health care, special education and transportation. These areas of the budget are always subject to significant changes (up or down) over the course of the year, which is why the district typically budgets very conservatively.

The district's change in transportation contractors, monitoring of actual ridership and efficient routing reduced costs. Similar strategies to reduce health-care expenses, especially through a change in vendor, have contributed to bottom line improvement. In special education, changes in students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and some students moving out of the district led to lower-than-anticipated special-education costs.

To get more information about changes in the school district tax levy, contact the business office at 914-941-7700, ext. 1338.