The
KNIGHT TIMES
Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter
Volume IX: May 2017
SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2017
MOUNT VERNON BOARD OF EDUCATION AGAIN APPROVES ZERO PERCENT TAX INCREASE BUDGET Voters to decide May 16th on 2017-2018 school year spending plan The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education unanimously approved a proposed $246,169,123 budget for the 2017-2018 school year on April 18. The budget has a zero percent increase in the tax levy. The total proposed taxes to be collected by the school district will be $134,077,473. This is the third consecutive year with no proposed tax increase. “This budget is representative of the Mount Vernon School District’s core belief to provide the best education possible for every child in the district,” said Board of Education President Lesly Zamor. “It is a direct result of sound and responsible fiscal planning by our district’s administration and the Board of Education.” The proposed budget is a 3.11 percent increase, or $7,419,288, above last year’s approved budget of $238,749,835. “This upcoming year’s budget is aligned with our long-term 20/20 Vision, which is focused on student achievement and success,” said Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton. In March, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded to A1 from A2 the underlying rating of the school district’s $87 million in general obligation debt. Also, Moody’s upgraded the district’s enhanced rating to Aa3 from A1. The district will pay lower interest rates, saving millions of dollars in debt service in the coming years and providing more money for the district’s schools and students. The proposed budget is 100 percent aligned with the Board of Education’s goals to create systems to promote student achievement and increase outcomes, closing the student achievement gap. It also funds a multi-year plan for improving buildings, grounds and facilities, including the exploration of private and public partnerships.
PLEASE VOTE TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2017 Polls are open 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
BY THE NUMBERS • 2016-2017 Voter Approved Budget: $238,749,835 • 2017-2018 Recommended Budget: $246,169,123 • Total Difference: (Increase of 3.11%) $7,419,288
The 2017-2018 Proposed Budget will have NO Impact on the Local Tax Levy
2017-18 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS • Introduction of full-day alternative programs through BOCES • Restoration of middle school sports programs • Expansion of after-school activities • Energy efficiencies exceeding $1 million in savings
BOARD OF EDUCATION Three Board of Education Trustee positions will be elected.
FOR MORE INFORMATION To learn more and review the budget presentation, visit: www.mtvernoncsd.org/budget2017
FOLLOW US ON
Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter
SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT LETTERS Dear Mount Vernon citizens,
Dear Friends, The 2016-2017 school year has been an extraordinary time for the Mount Vernon City School District. Graduation rates are on the rise, test scores are improving, discipline issues are declining, and our suspension rates are dropping. All of this is indicative of a school district in transformation. On May 16th, you will be asked to vote on the 2017-2018 Fiscal Plan for Academic Excellence. I am most proud to present to you a plan that is both fiscally sound and raises standards and expectations. For an unprecedented third consecutive year, this year’s budget will have no additional impact on the local tax levy. Three years of academic growth and improvement, with 0% tax increases each year, speaks to our work to reduce costs and find efficiencies all while improving academic offerings, programs and activities for our students. Together, this Board of Education and Administration have worked diligently to be responsible stewards of the tax dollars we receive. We have eliminated wasteful spending and found other revenue sources to support our growth and our vision. Each day, I come to work proud of what we have accomplished and eager to continue the growth and improvements that this community has overwhelmingly supported. While they say change is a process not a destination, I think it is safe to say we are well on our way to developing a school system rich in opportunities, diverse in its offerings and capable of meeting the academic, social and emotional needs of 21st Century learners. I thank you for your confidence, your trust and your support.
The state of our school district is on the rise! Thanks to your trust, support and your enduring partnership, we were able to obtain the funding necessary to implement the new 20/20 Academic Vision for the schools. I do not take the confidence that you have in the Board of Trustees lightly. You have entrusted us with your hard earned money and your most precious gift, your children. I will always be vigilant when it comes to protecting this district from harm, near or far. The board has recently approved the 2017-2018 school district budget. This is the third consecutive budget with no increase in the tax levy. I am looking forward to seeing your participation on Election Day, Tuesday, May 16, for our budget vote and to elect three Board of Trustee members. The school vote is one of the most important votes that you cast as a member of this community. This directly impacts your taxes, property values, the education of your children and your quality of life. I will add that it is also imperative that you demand from your Mayor and City Council representatives that any and all new housing development pay their full share of taxes for any and all school age children that will live in those buildings. Housing that receives these tax breaks, also known as tax PILOT’s (payments in lieu of taxes), unfairly transfer the tax burden of new students from the wealthy housing developers to existing Mount Vernon property owners and businesses. Say NO to tax PILOTS and unfunded development. This is the responsible way to continue to balance our school budget, keep taxes down and provide a sound education for our children, while not bankrupting seniors on fixed incomes and unfairly burdening our property owners. God bless Mount Vernon, and God bless America!
Yours for the Sake of all Children,
Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton Superintendent of Schools 2
Thank you,
Lesly Zamor Board President
Volume IX: May 2017
SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2017
BUDGET REVENUE Where does the money come from? The district receives funding through a variety of sources: 54% of our revenue is derived from local property taxes, 40% is funded through state and federal aid. The balance of the budget is funded through other local revenue sources and the district’s fund balance (restricted and unrestricted), totaling 6% of the entire budget.
Other Local Revenue: 3%
What is the fund balance? Fund balance is money that has remained unspent from previous budgets. This money is like a bank account of savings, some of which may be used to close the gap between revenue and expenses in future budgets and some of which is set aside or is restricted to be used for a special purpose only. Such special purposes are designated by the board and may include payments for tax certioraris (tax refunds from reduction in assessments), or some other future special purpose. What are school aid runs? School aid runs are the portions of money that are allocated to the school districts across the state. The state budget authorizes a certain amount of money to be devoted to school aid, and this money is distributed based on a school aid formula. The results are then listed in the school aid runs that are usually released with the budget. This way, school districts can plan their budgets for the next school year.
Fund Balance: 3%
State & Federal Aid: 40%
Local Property Taxes: 54%
How does the proposed budget affect my property taxes? At this time, it is impossible to say with certainty what a typical tax bill would look like for a homeowner in Mount Vernon for the 2017-2018 school year. Factors outside the district’s control, such as assessments provided by the city, will not be available until after the budget vote.
2017-2018 Property Tax Report Card
Budgeted 2016-17 (A)
Budgeted 2017-18 (B)
Percent Change (C)
Total Proposed Spending
$ 238,749,835
$ 246,169,123
3.11%
Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Including Tax Levy to Support Library Debt1
$ 134,077,473
$ 134,077,473
0.00%
Permissible Exclusions to the School Tax Levy Limit
$ 4,824,338
$ 5,119,913
Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Not Including Levy for Permissible Exclusions or Levy to Support Library Debt
129,615,302
131,094,825
$ 134,439,640
$ 136,214,738
(4,824,338)
(5,119,913)
8,275
8,061
School Tax Levy Limit2 Difference (positive value requires 60.0% voter approval) Public School Enrollment Consumer Price Index
-2.59% 1.26%
1 All proposed levies should exclude any prior year reserve for excess tax levy, including interest. 2 For 2017-18, excludes any carryover from 2016-17 and excludes any tax levy for library debt or prior year reserve for excess tax levy, including interest. Actual 2016-17 (D)
Adjusted Restricted Fund Balance
Estimated 2017-18 (E)
16,756,573
19,924,388
Assigned Appropriated Fund Balance
2,576,554
6,332,450
Adjusted Unrestricted Fund Balance
7,451,834
7,185,401
3.12%
2.92%
Adjusted Unrestricted Fund Balance as a Percent of the Total Budget
3
Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter
SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2017
2017-18 SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET NOTICE The information provided below is the “School District Budget Notice,” as required by state law. School districts must distribute this notice, as prescribed, to all district residents. Overall Budget Proposal Total Budgeted Amount, Not including Separate Propositions
Budget Adopted for the 2016-17 School Year
Budget Proposed for the 2017-18 School Year
Contingency Budget for the 2017-18 School Year*
$238,749,835
$246,169,123
$242,307,855
Increase/decrease for the 2017-18 school year
$7,862,461
$7,419,288
$3,558,020
Percentage increase/decrease in Proposed Budget
3.41%
3.11%
1.49%
Change in the Consumer Price Index
0.12%
1.26%
1.26%
$134,077,473
$134,077,473
$134,077,473
Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Including Levy to Support Library Debt, if applicable Total Permissable Exclusions
$4,824,338
$5,119,913
A. Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Not Including Levy for Permissible Exclusions or Levy to Support Library Debt
$129,253,135
$128,957,560
B. School Tax Levy Limit, Not Including Levy for Permissible Exclusions
$129,615,302
$131,094,825
Difference: A-B (Positive Value Requires 60.0% Voter Approval - See Note Below Regarding Separate Propostions
($362,167)
($2,137,265)
Administrative component
$22,632,624
$24,588,097
$24,491,032
Program component
$177,815,399
$178,430,857
$177,786,831
Capital component
$38,301,812
$43,150,169
$40,029,992
*Statement of assumptions made in projecting a contingency budget for the 2017-18 school year should the proposed budget be defeated pursuant to Section 2023 of the Education Law. From the proposed 2017-18 budget, remove all non-contingent items: equipment purchases for the Superintendent's office, information technology, buildings & grounds, school improvement, classroom furniture, computer assisted instruction, guidance equipment, PPS equipment, athletic equipmet, raise for exempt employees, field trips as well as transfer to capital. The amount of the Administrative component at 12.11% as a percentage of the total of both of the Administrative and Program components in the contingent budget is greater than the percentage at 11.29% of the Administrative component in 2016-17. This will require additional adjustments and reductions in the Administrative and Program components to maintain the percentage from 2016-2017. The tax levy required will be 134,077,473 Under the Budget Proposed for the 2017-2018 School Year Estimated Basic STAR Exemption Savings¹
$2,284
The annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2017-18 by the qualified voters of the Mount Vernon City School District, Westchester County, New York, will be held at Lincoln School, 170 East Lincoln Ave. (EDs # 1, 2, 21); Cecil H. Parker School, 461 South 6th Ave. (EDs # 4, 12); Hamilton School, 20 Oak St. (EDs # 5,19); Traphagen School, Oakland Ave. (EDs # 6A, 6B, 8); Edward Williams School, 9 Union Lane (EDs # 7, 18); Grimes Elementary School, 58 South 10th Ave. (EDs # 22, 27); Graham School, 421 East 5th St. (EDs # 9, 13, 23); Mandela High School. 250 Gramatan Ave. (EDs # 10, 24); Rebecca Turner Elementary School, 625 Fourth Ave. (EDs # 14, 20); Pennington School, 20 Fairway (EDs # 11, 16, 26); and Holmes School, 195 North Columbus Ave. (EDs # 17, 25) in said district on Tuesday May16, 2017 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting ballot or machine. ¹The basic school tax relief (STAR) exemption is authorized by section 425 of the Real Property Tax Law.
Volume IX: May 2017
SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2017
2017-2018 BUDGET IN THREE PARTS Function or Account
Administration
% of Total Budget
Capital
9.99%
Programs
17.53%
72.48%
Total
TOTAL
Difference
2017-2018
2016-2017
Dollars
Percent
Board of Education
$ 284,575
$ 284,575
$ 343,600
($ 59,025)
-17.18%
Central Admin
$ 997,673
$ 997,673
$ 729,984
$ 267,689
36.67%
$ 1,818,668
$ 1,818,668
$ 1,561,283
$ 257,385
16.49%
Legal Services
$ 636,270
$ 636,270
$ 812,700
($ 176,430)
-21.71%
Personnel
$ 760,652
$ 760,652
$ 785,476
($ 24,824)
-3.16%
$ 28,500
$ 28,500
$ 53,500
($ 25,000)
-46.73% -35.20%
Finance
Records Management Public Information
$ 116,000
$ 116,000
$ 179,000
($ 63,000)
$ 10,018,131
$ 10,018,131
$ 10,344,053
($ 325,922)
-3.15%
Maintenance of Plant
$ 2,635,665
$ 2,635,665
$ 2,204,951
$ 430,714
19.53%
Security
$ 3,524,937
$ 3,524,937
$ 3,511,754
$ 13,183
0.38% -5.88%
Operation of Plant
Other Central Serv.
$ 3,225,254
$ 3,426,844
($ 201,590)
Insurance Prop/Liab
$ 3,225,254 $ 1,320,000
$ 1,320,000
$ 1,293,000
$ 27,000
2.09%
Judgments & Claims
$ 105,000
$ 105,000
$ 141,000
($ 36,000)
-25.53%
County Sewer Taxes
$ 260,000
$ 260,000
$ 260,000
$
0.00%
$
$
$
$
Refund of Taxes Other Special Items
$ 1,015,391
$ 1,015,391
$ 939,291
$ 76,100
8.10%
Curriculum Devel.
$ 4,249,925
$ 4,249,925
$ 2,857,508
$ 1,392,417
48.73%
Supervision Reg School
$ 6,283,115
$ 6,283,115
$ 5,977,711
$ 305,404
5.11%
Supervision Special School
$ 1,262,517
$ 1,262,517
$ 1,120,403
$ 142,114
12.68% 0.83%
Other Admin Support
$ 209,793
$ 208,067
$ 1,726
Regular School, LEP & PSEN
$ 209,793 $ 69,134,444
$ 69,134,444
$ 66,042,615
$ 3,091,829
4.68%
Program for Special Ed
$ 42,333,527
$ 42,333,527
$ 46,528,114
($ 4,194,587)
-9.02%
Occupational Education
$ 1,565,373
$ 1,565,373
$ 1,514,381
$ 50,992
3.37%
$ 241,095
$ 241,095
$ 230,509
$ 10,586
4.59%
Special Schools & Programs Media & Computer
$ 6,819,724
$ 6,819,724
$ 6,355,267
$ 464,457
7.31%
$ 10,295,799
$ 10,295,799
$ 10,453,507
($ 157,708)
-1.51%
Extra-curricular & Interscholastic Sports
$ 939,368
$ 939,368
$ 728,227
$ 211,141
28.99%
District Transportation
$ 332,726
$ 332,726
$ 149,625
$ 183,101
122.37% 5.10%
Pupil Personnel Services
Contract Transportation Employee Benefits
$ 3,699,764
Debt Service
$ 6,012,117
$ 8,068,628
$ 8,068,628
$ 7,677,000
$ 391,628
$ 36,535,170
$ 46,247,051
$ 45,465,715
$ 781,336
1.72%
$ 16,474,142
$ 12,806,511
$ 3,667,631
28.64%
$ 16,474,142
Transfers to Capital
$ 2,800,177
$ 2,800,177
$ 1,830,000
$ 970,177
53.02%
$ 2,165,003
$ 2,165,003
$ 2,218,239
($ 53,236)
-2.40%
$ 43,150,169
$ 178,430,857
$ 246,169,123
$ 238,749,835
$ 7,419,287
3.11%
Other Transfers 2017-18 Proposed Budget
$ 24,588,097
2017-18 Admin. as % of Admin. & Inst.
12.11%
2016-17 Budget
$ 22,632,624
$ 38,301,812
$ 177,815,399
$ 238,749,835
% of Total Budget
9.48%
16.04%
74.48%
100.0%
2016-17 Admin. as % of Admin. & Inst.
11.29%
How is money distributed in the budget?
Administration: 9.99%
Capital: 17.53%
Programs: 72.48% This category includes all expense items directly attributed to the education of students. Capital: 17.53% This category includes maintenance and operations of school buildings and grounds, utilities, and debt service. Administration: 9.99% This category includes salaries and benefits for all administrative personnel, including some central office staff, as well as legal services and other central services.
Programs: 72.48%
5
Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter
BASKETBALL TEAM HONORED PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS WITH VICTORY PARADE STUDENTS SHINE IN SHOWCASE Students with the Performing and Visual Arts Magnet School gave glowing performances in Spring Showcase 2017. The students took the stage on March 23 at Mount Vernon High School before packed houses. The showcase featured band and orchestra performances, a visual arts presentation, musical theater, and dance. Director of Arts & Gifted and Talented Evelyn Collins said the Mount Vernon program is unique in Westchester County and has the benefit of teachers who are practicing artists themselves. “There’s nothing like this, and as it grows, it can only get better,” Collins said. “Miss Collins takes us to Broadway shows so we get to experience new things,” said 7th grader Kendall McDowell. “I would like to become a professional dancer, and I’m getting high level training.” Eighth grader Yvonne Bryan loves dance and musical theater and also plays the clarinet and flute. “I love being a part of this program,” Bryan said. “You are able to express yourself in the arts that you love, and you don’t have to stick to just one major.” The performing and visual arts students have a lot to be excited about. They will get their own space when Thornton High School is fully renovated as part of the district’s 20/20 Vision. 200 students in grades 6-9 auditioned to be a part of next year’s program. Plus, Collins thinks Spring Showcase 2017 may have influenced some future students.
Mount Vernon was buzzing on April 19, as residents, young and old, came out for a victory parade honoring the 2017 New York State Champion Mount Vernon Boys Basketball Team. The parade processed from Mount Vernon High School to City Hall. The team passed by each district school building, and elementary school kids were particularly excited to cheer their accomplishment. Senior Knight Noah Morgan was taking it all in. “It’s a fun day for everyone. Riding around, seeing our old schools, being able to throw stuff out to the kids – this is an awesome feeling.” Riding on flatbeds, the Mount Vernon High School Royals Band and Mount Vernon cheerleaders waved and threw souvenirs to the gathered supporters. District officials also rode along. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton thanked Coach Bob Cimmino and his staff. “We know that what you have been able to pull from these young men would not have happened if not for your dedication and the examples that you set,” said Hamilton. “The team knew if they won a state championship they could count upon the city fathers to take care of them with a lovely celebratory parade,” said Cimmino. The Knights won the March 19 state championship game against Fairport 59-48 at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton. It is a record 11th state title for the program. In a ceremony on the steps of City Hall, the players received trophies and were given keys to the city. “This community is showing love and it’s a blessing,” said senior Knight Gregory Calixte. “We just made history, and it’s great to be appreciated by this city.”
6
Volume IX: May 2017
SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADUATION RATE JUMPS 6 PERCENTAGE POINTS
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT CAREER OPTIONS More than 30 area professionals came from a wide variety of fields to the 10th Annual Mount Vernon High School Career Day in early April. Each addressed groups of up to 30 students at a time, sharing information about their careers and companies while also listening to students to learn about what they are looking for in the next steps of their lives. “It’s not just our students hearing from professionals; it’s about professionals getting to hear from our students,” said Principal Ronald Gonzalez. “It shows them the high caliber of students we have here, and it sets our kids up for future internships, partnerships and even employment.” The event was facilitated by student ambassadors from the National Honor Society (NHS) and Friends of the National Honor Society, and coordinated by high school counselor and NHS advisor Peggy Williams.
The student graduation rate within the Mount Vernon City School District grew an exceptional 6 percentage points in 2016. The New York State Education Department announced graduation rates for schools across the state in February. Data shows that the Mount Vernon graduation rate rose to 61 percent in 2016, from 55 percent the previous year and 48 percent in 2014. The district graduated 345 students in 2016, compared to 301 in 2015. The percentage of students graduating with a Regents Diploma grew to 51 percent, from 44 percent. The percentage of boys who graduated grew to 57 percent, compared to 48 percent in 2015. Forty-seven percent of the boys graduated with a Regents Diploma, compared with 37 percent the prior year. The percentage of girls who graduated grew to 65 percent, compared to 62 percent in 2015. Fifty-six percent of the girls graduated with a Regents Diploma, compared with 51 percent the prior year. “This is concrete evidence that we’re headed in the right direction for better student achievement with the 20/20 Vision,” said Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton. “The transformation of the Mount Vernon City School District continues and this data represents another important step in our journey. Our expectation is that improvement will continue as the 20/20 Vision becomes fully implemented.”
“There are many great companies in this community who could provide internship opportunities for our students, and we have a lot of capable candidates,” said Williams. The NHS students also chose the theme for this year’s career day: Discrimination Stops with Me. Along with seeing how education leads to professional opportunities, this year’s career day challenged students to consider their own accountability toward ending discrimination, and encouraged presenters to address how discrimination may have been part of their own paths. “We want people to take personal ownership of how we can thwart, or at least impede, discrimination keeping greatness from coming into our society,” said Williams. Nicole Scheindlin, Founder and Executive Director of Her Honor Mentoring, discussed how students can achieve greatness. The organization, which includes the Honorable Judge Judith Scheindlin (known famously as television’s Judge Judy) amongst its partners, has been placing Mount Vernon students into 1-on-1 mentoring opportunities at MasterCard for nine years. “We’re looking to develop young leaders from first generation families – and when we say ‘first generation,’ we mean the first in their families to go to college and pursue higher education,” said Scheindlin. “We want to help develop the next generation of woman leaders.”
7
Mount Vernon City School District 165 N. Columbus Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10552
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit # 5140 White Plains, NY
Board of Education Lesly Zamor, President Adrianne G. Saunders, Vice President Charmaine Fearon Serigne M. Gningue Rosemarie Jarosz Omar McDowell Micah J.B. McOwen Darcy Miller
***ECRWSS*** Postal Patron Mount Vernon, NY
Wanda White
BUDGET VOTE What am I voting on? Residents are voting on a proposed $246,169,123 budget for the 2017-18 school year, which calls for a 3.11 percent spending increase from the 2016-17 school year. The budget has a zero percent increase in the tax levy. Residents are also voting to fill three trustee seats on the Board of Education. Detailed copies of the proposed budget and additional information about the proposed budget and board candidates are available at the district office. Who can vote? Voter Eligibility & Qualifications: You can vote if you are: 18 years of age or over, a U.S. citizen, if you are registered to vote, a resident of New York State and the City School District of the City of Mount Vernon for at least 30 days preceding the election, if you voted in the last election, you are eligible to vote in this election and if you are properly registered on the Westchester County General Election List. If you are not sure whether you are properly registered, call the Senior Clerk at (914) 665-5866 or the District Clerk at (914) 665-5235. How do I register to vote? If you are not sure whether you are properly registered, call the Senior Clerk at (914) 665-5866 or the District Clerk at (914) 665-5235. You can also visit www.mtvernoncsd.org/budget2017 Can I vote by absentee ballot? Absentee Ballot Applications must be submitted to the District Clerk’s Office by Tuesday, May 9, 2017 if the Absentee Ballot is to be mailed to the voter; or the day before the election on Monday, May 15, 2017 if the Absentee Ballot is to be issued to the voter in person. Absentee Ballots must be received in the District Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
When and where is the vote? The school budget vote will take place on Tuesday May 16, 2017 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting ballot or machine. The annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2017-18 by the qualified voters of the Mount Vernon City School District, Westchester County, New York, will be held at: • Lincoln School, 170 East Lincoln Ave. (EDs # 1, 2, 21) • Cecil H. Parker School, 461 South 6th Ave. (EDs # 4, 12) • Hamilton School, 20 Oak St. (EDs # 5,19) • Traphagen School, Oakland Ave. (EDs # 6A, 6B, 8) • Edward Williams School, 9 Union Lane (EDs # 7, 18) • Grimes Elementary School, 58 South 10th Ave. (EDs # 22, 27) • Graham School, 421 East 5th St. (EDs # 9, 13, 23) • Mandela High School, 250 Gramatan Ave. (EDs # 10, 24) • Rebecca Turner Elementary School, 625 Fourth Ave. (EDs # 14, 20) • Pennington School, 20 Fairway (EDs # 11, 16, 26) • Holmes School, 195 North Columbus Ave. (EDs # 17, 25)
To find out if you’re registered and where to vote, visit www.mtvernoncsd.org/budget2017 Call the District office at (914) 665-5866 if you’re unsure where you should vote. What would happen if the budget is voted down? Statement of assumptions made in projecting a contingency budget for the 2017-18 school year should the proposed budget be defeated pursuant to Section 2023 of the Education Law. From the proposed 2017-18 budget, remove all non-contingent items: equipment purchases for the Superintendent’s office, information technology, buildings & grounds, school improvement, classroom furniture, computer assisted instruction, guidance equipment, PPS equipment, athletic equipmet, raise for exempt employees, field trips as well as transfer to capital. The amount of the Administrative component at 12.11 percent as a percentage of the total of both of the Administrative and Program components in the contingent budget is greater than the percentage at 11.29 percent of the Administrative component in 201617. This will require additional adjustmets and reductions in the Administrative and Program components to maintain the percentage from 2016-2017. The tax levy required will be 134,077,473. For more information and for a copy of the 2017-18 school budget, visit the Board of Education or go to www.mtvernoncsd.org