News from the South Glens Falls Central School District

Budget Vote Tuesday, May 19

8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Oliver W. Winch Middle School Ballard Elementary School

Proposed budget: $55,031,681

Budget-to-budget increase: $899,723 or 1.66 percent

Tax levy increase: 2.41 percent

Election of two candidates to the SGF Board of Education

Proposition to purchase four buses; one bus with wheelchair option

In This Issue

Student Achievements/ Staff Retirements 2

Budget Q & A 3

Revenues & Expenses 4-5

Meet the BOE Candidates 6

Voting Information/ Budget Notice 7

Bus Proposition 8

www.sgfcsd.org

South Glens Falls Central School District residents will vote Tuesday, May 19, on a proposed $55,031,681 spending plan for the 2015-16 school year. The proposed plan calls for a $899,723—or 1.66 percent—increase in spending over the current year’s budget.

If approved, the budget would increase the tax levy by 2.41 percent, which is below the district’s state-imposed tax levy limit of 3.26 percent. While final assessment figures are not available until August, it’s projected that homeowners with an assessment of $100,000 will see their annual taxes increase by about $30.

Voters will also elect two members to the board of education and vote on a bus proposition.District sees increase in state aid

For the 2015-16 school year, SGF is anticipating a budget-to-budget increase of $1.7 million in state aid, which helped close the budget gap, maintain and restore programs and services, and minimize the impact on taxpayers.

As part of this aid increase, the district will receive $1,277,145 toward the restoration of its Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA), the state’s practice of withholding promised state aid from districts to address its own deficit.

The increase in aid will allow the district to reduce the amount of reserve funds and fund balance appropriated in this year’s budget (see page 5).

The proposed spending plan adds back programming that was eliminated over the past several years in the areas of academics and extracurricular activities. It enhances the district’s social-emotional support for students.

“After eight years of reducing programming and approximately 13 percent of our staff, we have an opportunity to reinvest in programming for next year,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Patton. “This does not mean our financial challenges are over, though, which is why we

remain careful about managing district finances for the long term.”Proposed social-emotional support additions

l Two new social worker positions, which would be split among the district’s four elementary schools to provide support for students and families.

Proposed extracurricular additions

l Restoration of six modified sports teams, which were eliminated in 2009.

Proposed academic additions

l K-8 summer school for academic remediation and enrichment in the arts and technology.

l An expanded summer credit recovery program for high school students.

l Additional class sections at the high school.l A new part-time student conduct

coordinator at the high school, which would be a stipend position for a teacher to provide student management, building supervision and attendance support.

l Extending the service of one math coach and two literacy coaches. These positions, which were grant funded for the current school year, have allowed for teachers to provide extensive curriculum and instructional support to their colleagues and students.

Tax levy increase below state limit, spending to increase by 1.66 percent

Voters to decide on $55 million budget proposal

Budget 2015-162

SGF Valedictorian and Top 10 Graduates Named

Thank you, retirees!This year, 10 staff members will be retiring from the South Glens Falls Central School District. The district would like to extend its

gratitude for their hard work and dedication to our students throughout their tenure.Virginia Baldwin, School Bus Driver, 7.5 years

Roberta Berg, Grade 1 Teacher, Tanglewood, 23 years

Paul Bolesh, Grade 5 Teacher, Ballard, 38 years

Joan Chambers, School Psychologist, SGFHS, 31 years

Linda Faden, Grade 3 Teacher, Tanglewood, 23 years

Cynthia Flax, Spanish Teacher, SGFHS, 28 years

Philinda Heil, Special Education Teacher, Moreau, 31 years

Sue Lieberman, Home & Careers Teacher, OWWMS, 26 years

Karen Morgan, Teacher Aide, Ballard, 27.5 years

Holli Paquette, Teaching Assistant, SGFHS, 8 years

Congratulations to the South Glens Falls High School Class of 2015 Top 10 students! The students are as follows:

Valedictorian Alyssa Risner, daughter of Keith and Kelly Risner, is planning to attend Coastal Carolina University to study biomedical engineering.

Matt Jenkins, son of Brad and Debra Jenkins, is planning to attend Plattsburgh State to major in physics.

Kyrsten Johnston, daughter of Matthew and Terri Johnston, is planning to attend the University of Rochester or SUNY Geneseo to major in geology and chemistry.

Dylan Davies, son of Gary and Rhonda Davies, is planning to attend Albany College of Pharmacy Health Sciences to major in clinical laboratory science.

Nathaniel Coley, son of David and Alice Coley, is planning to attend the University at Buffalo to major in mechanical engineering.

Robert Davies, son of Gary and Rhonda Davies, is planning to attend St. Lawrence University to major in pre-law.

Gabriella Stipano, daughter of Marta Stipano and Mark Stipano, is planning to attend SUNY Adirondack and eventually Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to major in chemical engineering.

Olivia Higgins, daughter of Bridgit and Michael Higgins, is planning to attend Boston University to major in human physiology.

Julia Corentto, daughter of Daniel and Stephanie Corentto, is planning to attend Russel Sage College to major in nursing.

Ryan Hay, son of Geoffrey and Nancy Hay, is planning to attend St. Michael’s College to major in math or science.

2015-16 Budget Questions & AnswersHow was the 2015-16 budget proposal

developed? The process of developing the budget in

South Glens Falls takes place year round. Throughout the year, administrators and board

of education members thoughtfully examine all facets of the budget, focusing on how to maximize resources to meet student needs and increase program offerings. In February, a community budget forum was held to gather feedback from the community.

When state aid totals became available in early April, the district got a more reliable projection of the amount of aid it would receive. Because the district is slated to receive an increase in aid, the administration and board are able to propose the restoration of several programs and services in the 2015-16 budget.

Is the proposed budget below the tax levy limit?

South Glens Falls’ maximum allowable tax levy allows for a 3.26 percent increase for the 2015-16 school year. The board has proposed

a budget that raises the tax levy by 2.41 percent, which is less than the state limit allows. (The tax levy increase for the current school year was 2.52 percent.) As a result, the proposed budget requires a simple majority to pass.

The tax levy limit, which is determined by a calculation outlined in state law and varies by district, is a threshold that determines what level of voter support is needed to pass a budget. If a district’s tax levy increase is below or equal to the limit, a simple majority (50 percent plus one vote) is needed. If a district’s tax levy increase exceeds the limit, 60 percent voter approval is required.

Front row, Alyssa Risner. Row two, left to right, Gabriella Stipano, Julia Corentto. Row three, left to right, Nathaniel Coley, Olivia Higgins, Kyrsten Johnston. Row four, left to right, Dylan Davies, Matthew Jenkins, Ryan Hay, Robert Davies.

South Glens Falls C e n t r a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t3

How does the district spend each dollar in

its budget? The South Glens

Falls Central School District works to ensure

that the bulk of its money is spent directly on students.

“We strive to support our students,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Patton. “It’s important for our taxpayers to see that we do put 76 cents of each dollar we spend toward teaching, transporting and supporting our students.”

2015-16 Estimated Tax RatesTown 2014-15 Rate Per $1,000 Estimated 2015-16 Rate Per Estimated Annual Tax Bill

of Assessed Value $1,000 of Assessed Value Increase on a $100,000 Home

Moreau $14.713 $15.005 $29

Northumberland $15.936 $16.252 $32

Wilton $15.936 $16.252 $32*Rates shown are per $1,000 of assessed value. Estimated tax rate information was calculated using tentative assessed values, which will be finalized by Saratoga County in August 2015. Rates shown exclude STAR exemption.

1¢9¢7¢7¢

76¢ Spent on teaching, transporting,supervising and counseling students.

Spent on administration, including the superintendent, assistant superintendent, building and department administrators and the school board.

Spent on custodial support, maintenance and utilities.

Spent on support, includingtechnology, accounting, payroll, HR and community relations.

Spent on debt service.

Funds Spent to Help Each Student Succeed

What would the tax levy increase mean

for my tax bill?The proposed budget

would increase the tax levy—the total amount of

property taxes raised by the district—by 2.41 percent, or $653,242.

Next year’s tax rate increase is projected to be less than 2 percent. See the chart below for estimated tax rate increases. The impact on school tax bills is projected to be an additional $29 for Moreau and $32 for Northumberland and Wilton in annual taxes for an assessed home value of $100,000.

How much money from the fund balance and district reserves will

be used for next year’s budget? A fund balance is created when a district is

able to generate a surplus by receiving more revenue than expected and/or by spending

less than the amount budgeted. The term “fund balance” is used to represent the amount of the surplus, which by law cannot exceed 4 percent of the following year’s budget.

South Glens Falls is planning to allocate $400,000 from its unrestricted fund balance in 2015-16, as well as $635,000 from its reserve funds, to help maintain existing programs and reduce the tax impact on district residents next year. These amounts are less than

what was allocated in the current year’s budget due to the district’s anticipated increase in state aid.

While using money from the reserves and fund balance can help districts keep tax increases down and maintain programs in the short term, the use of these funds must be carefully monitored and the district must plan their use carefully for the future.

Will the STAR program affect my school taxes?

Many New Yorkers who own their own home can reduce their school taxes by applying for a School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption. Two

different types of exemptions are available: basic STAR and an enhanced exemption for senior citizens. Exemption amounts for the 2015-16 school year vary by town. For more information, contact your town assessor or visit the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance website to apply.

Budget 2015-164

Expenditure Summary

Instruction 53.43% of budget Teaching $14,832,862 $15,362,384Teaching (Special education) $6,976,334 $7,110,738Teaching (Occupational education) $863,604 $873,026Inservice Training (Instruction) $230,158 $288,123Supervision $1,543,796 $1,448,717Attendance $0 $17,983Curriculum Development $155,337 $160,524Research, Planning & Evaluation $6,300 $1,000Library Media Services $613,081 $619,918Computer Services $1,406,577 $1,506,018Guidance Services $729,446 $747,322Health Services $341,102 $370,457Psychology/Social Worker Services $500,261 $511,641Athletics/Extracurricular Activities $350,954 $ 382,902

Subtotal $28,549,812 $29,400,753 2.98%

Employee Benefits 25.26% of budgetState Retirement $862,809 $953,560Teachers’ Retirement $3,522,892 $2,771,238Social Security $1,917,214 $1,951,436Workers’ Compensation $214,049 $263,051Unemployment Insurance $58,000 $58,000Disability Insurance $23,166 $23,166Hospital, Medical & Dental Insurance $7,602,970 $7,878,620Subtotal $14,201,100 $13,899,071 (2.13%)

Transportation 4.50% of budgetDistrict Transportation Services $2,354,457 $2,428,475Garage Building $47,406 $47,614Transportation from BOCES $0 $1,432Subtotal $2,401,863 $2,477,521 3.15%

General Support 8.19% of budgetBoard of Education $17,400 $17,400Central Administration $209,265 $217,078Finance/Business Office $487,933 $496,571Legal Services $62,000 $62,000Public Info. & Related Services $77,177 $103,081Central Printing & Mailing $90,111 $90,111Operations & Maintenance $2,818,849 $2,931,982Insurance & Dues $107,694 $112,944BOCES Administrative Costs $460,095 $474,426

Subtotal $4,330,524 $4,505,593 4.04%

Debt Service & Interfund Transfers 8.63% of budgetBond Anticipation Notes $476,215 $479,194Interfund Transfers & Debt Service $4,172,444 $4,269,549Subtotal $4,648,659 $4,748,743 2.15%Total Expenditures $54,131,958 $55,031,681 1.66%

2014-15 Budget

2015-16 Proposed

Percent Change

New York State law requires all school districts to present their budgets divided into three expenditure categories: program, administrative and capital.

Program Amount % of budget 2014-15 $41,239,391 76.18%2015-16 $42,017,623 76.35%Includes: salaries and benefits of teachers, guidance counselors, aides, nurses, etc.; teaching supplies, equipment and textbooks; library and instructional computer funds; athletics expenses; and transportation costs (except bus purchases).

Administrative Amount % of budget2014-15 $4,482,156 8.28%2015-16 $4,334,839 7.88%Includes: salaries and benefits of administrators who spend most of their time performing supervisory duties; insurance costs; legal expenses; public information; and Board of Education expenses.

Capital Amount % of budget2014-15 $8,410,411 15.54%2015-16 $8,679,219 15.77%Includes: debt service on buildings; bus purchases, tax certiorari and court-ordered costs; custodial costs including salaries and benefits of maintenance workers; and all facilities costs, including supplies, utilities, repairs and renovations.

Three-Part Budget Summary

Administrative, 7.88%

Capital, 15.77%

Program, 76.35%

South Glens Falls C e n t r a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t5

Program by the NumbersWhat is the return on taxpayers’ investment in South Glens Falls CSD?

Revenue Summary Revenue Increase of 1.66%State Aid $23,578,693 $25,316,477 $1,737,784Federal Aid $100,000 $115,000 $15,000Miscellaneous Revenue $874,203 $798,900 ($75,303)Fund Balance $800,000 $400,000 ($400,000)Reserve Funds $1,666,000 $635,000 ($1,031,000)Tax Levy $27,113,062 $27,766,304 $653,242Total Revenues $54,131,958 $55,031,681 $899,723

Academics266 teachers educate 3,179 students in grades K-12 every day. They

are supported by 209 full and part-time support staff members and 19 administrators and department heads.

For the Class of 2014, South Glens Falls’ graduation rate was 84% compared to the statewide graduation rate of 76.4%.

79% of South Glens Falls graduates from the Class of 2014 went on to a two- or four-year college.

South Glens Falls High School will offer 8 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, 14 college-level courses, 6 honors courses and Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering program for students in grades 9-12 for the 2015-16 school year.

425 students in grades K-12 receive support through special education and related services.

4 science teachers at South Glens Falls High School were named NYS Master Teachers in January 2015.

ArtsThe artwork of 10 students was among 94 pieces selected out of more than 358 entries to be featured in the 29th edition of the

WSWHE BOCES Talent Unlimited Literary Arts Journal.

45 students participated in the high school spring musical “The Addams Family” and 48 middle school students participated in the middle school production of “A Midsummer Night’s Teen.”

The high school chorus has 180 students, while there are 75 students enrolled in the high school orchestra and 45 students in the high school band.

The middle school chorus has 194 students, while there are 198 who participate in the middle school orchestra and band.

Athletics & ExtracurricularApproximately 485 students at South Glens Falls High School participate in at least one interscholastic sport, and approximately 296

students in grades 7 and 8 participate in a school sport.

For the 2014-15 fall and winter seasons, 15 South Glens Falls athletics teams qualified as a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, for all team members maintaining grade point averages over 90 percent.

1 team of students from Tanglewood Elementary School qualified for the state competition of Odyssey of the Mind.

This year’s South High Marathon Dance raised $621,680 to support individuals in need in our local region.

More than 100 students in grades K-5 participated in one of two Educating Young Engineers Saturday programs at Ballard Elementary School.

3 Parent University sessions on important youth topics were held with the SGF Community Coalition for Family Wellness.

2014-15 Budget

2015-16 Budget

State & Federal Aid, 46.21%

Tax Levy, 50.46%

Misc. revenue, 1.45%Reserve funds & fund balance, 1.88%

Increase/ (Decrease)

Students participate in one of the two Educating Young Engineers programs that were held at Ballard this year.

Budget 2015-166

Community to elect two board of education membersCommunity members will elect two individuals to serve three-year terms on the Board of Education, beginning July 1, 2015. The candidates

are listed in alphabetical order. The board of education members are volunteers.

Robert AmbergerRobert Amberger is running for his first

term on the school board. After graduating from Hauppauge High School on Long Island, Amberger received an undergraduate degree in business management and a master’s degree in education, both from Hofstra University. He is currently a National Board Certified Teacher and also

holds permanent teaching certification from the New York State Department of Education. He is working towards an extension to his certification called Work Based Learning. Amberger is currently a business teacher in the Glens Falls City Schools. He was president of the Ballard HSA from July 2010 to June 2012 and helped organize donations for the South High Marathon Dance. In addition, Amberger has coached recreational soccer, basketball and baseball for several years. Amberger and his wife, Meredith, have two children who attend school in the South Glens Falls CSD.

John FarrellJohn Farrell is running for his second

term on the school board. He is a graduate of Glens Falls High School and he holds an associate of arts degree from Adirondack Community College. Farrell has a Bachelor of Arts in history from SUNY Potsdam and a master’s degree in education from SUNY Plattsburgh.

He is currently a supported housing coordinator for the Warren Washington Association for Mental Health where he works as an advocate to assist adults and families suffering from mental illness. He has volunteered for the South High Marathon Dance and coached boys baseball and girls softball, as well as soccer and basketball. Farrell has served on the Moreau Town Recreation Commission and on the board of South Glens Falls Girls Softball as a member, vice president and president. Farrell and his wife, Sharon, have two children. One is a graduate of South Glens Falls, and the second is currently attending school in the district.

Kevin OstranderKevin Ostrander is running for his third

term on the school board. He served on the board from 1988-1998 but resigned when his job began to require traveling. Ostrander is a 1970 graduate of South Glens Falls High School and later received a Bachelor of Science in business from Empire State College. He is currently retired, but

worked for more than 40 years in various positions, including sales, marketing and customer service. He retired in 2013 from Delcath Systems Inc., where he was the director of facility/safety coordinator for several years. Ostrander and his wife, Nancy, have three children who are all graduates of South Glens Falls.

What happens if the budget is defeated? Would the tax levy cap

impact a contingent budget? If the proposed budget is defeated at the

polls on May 19, state law gives the school board three options. Board members may decide

to put the same budget before the voters a second time, put a revised budget before the voters, or go directly to a contingent budget. If the voters defeat the budget a second time, the board must go to a contingent budget. Under a contingent budget, a school district’s tax levy cannot increase at all. Previous rules for contingent budgets continue, namely:

l A contingent budget cannot include money for non-contingent expenses, such as furniture, equipment or new capital projects.

l The administrative portion of a contingent budget is subject to restrictions.

l Under a contingent budget, the district may also need to raise the fees charged for public use of school buildings and grounds.

What would a contingent budget mean for South Glens Falls?

For South Glens Falls, bringing the tax levy increase down to zero means that a 2015-16 contingent budget would need to be

approximately $620,681 lower than the proposed budget.

After eliminating money for non-contingent expenses as required, the expectation is that the school board would consider eliminating six FTE positions, including elementary positions. The district would also be forced to use additional money from its reserves.

South Glens Falls C e n t r a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t7

School District Budget Notice

Description Amount

Under the Budget Proposed

for the 2015-16 School Year

Estimated Basic STAR Exemption Savings 1 $618

Overall Budget Proposal Budget Adopted for the Budget Proposed for the Contingency Budget for

2014-15 School Year 2015-16 School Year the 2015-16 School Year*

Total Budgeted Amount, Not Including Separate Propositions $54,131,958 $55,031,681 $54,411,000

Increase/Decrease for the 2015-2016 School Year $899,723 $279,042

Percentage Increase/Decrease in Proposed Budget 1.66% 0.52%

Change in the Consumer Price Index 1.62%

A. Proposed Tax Levy to Support the Total Budgeted Amount $27,113,062 $27,766,304

B. Levy to Support Library Debt, if Applicable $0 $0

C. Levy for Non-Excludable Propositions, if Applicable** $0 $0

D. Total Tax Cap Reserve Amount Used to Reduce Current $0 $0 Year Levy

E. Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy (A + B + C - D) $27,113,062 $27,766,304 $27,113,062

F. Permissible Exclusions to the School Tax Levy Limit $456,630 $521,451

G. School Tax Levy Limit, Excluding Levy for Permissible Exclusions $26,664,454 $27,476,740

H. Total Proposed Tax Levy for School Purposes, Excluding $26,656,432 $27,244,853 Permissible Exclusions and Levy for Library Debt, Plus Prior Year Tax Cap Reserve (E - B - F + D)

I. Difference: (G - H); (Negative Value Requires 60.0% Voter $8,022 $231,887 Approval - See Note Below Regarding Separate Propositions)**

Administrative Component $4,482,156 $4,334,839 $4,293,839

Program Component $41,239,391 $42,017,623 $41,615,212

Capital Component $8,410,411 $8,679,219 $8,501,949 *Should the proposed budget be defeated, additional staffing reductions to the educational program will be required, and spending for student supplies, community usage of buildings and grounds and equipment purchases will be eliminated.

**List Separate Propositions that are not

included in the Total Budgeted Amount:

(Tax Levy associated with educational or

transportation services propositions are

not eligible for exclusion and may affect

voter approval requirements)

The annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2015-2016 by the qualified voters of the South Glens Falls Central School District, Saratoga County, New York, will be held at Ballard Elementary School and Oliver W. Winch Middle School in said district on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., prevailing time in the middle school LGI and the elementary school gym, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting ballot.

1 The basic school tax relief (STAR) exemption is authorized by section 425 of the Real Property Tax Law.

The purchase of four (4) 65-passenger buses and one (1) 29-passenger bus with wheelchair option. $490,215

Looking to the future...Voters can complete an exit survey at the polls

South Glens Falls voters will be given the opportunity to fill out an optional, anonymous exit survey after voting. District leaders will use the information from the exit survey to make decisions about next year’s budget and to gather residents’ feedback about the district. Voters will have the option to fill out the survey electronically or by hand. Look for the bank of iPads at your polling site to participate and share your opinions with the district.

Budget 2015-168

South Glens FallsC e n t r a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDGlens Falls, NY 12801

Permit No. 4

6 Bluebird RoadSouth Glens Falls, NY 12803

ECRWSS

Postal Customer

Board of EducationWilliam J. Elder, PresidentThomas C. Kurtz, Vice PresidentNelson CharronGrace M. DavisonJohn B. FarrellRoger FedeleLisa HoganJeffrey J. RiggiTim Streeter

Superintendent of SchoolsMichael Patton

Visit us at: www.sgfcsd.orgProduced in cooperation with Capital Region BOCES Communications Service. Monica Lester, Editor

Voting infoWho can vote?To vote in this election, you must be 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the South Glens Falls School District for at least 30 days prior to the vote and registered with Saratoga County.

Absentee ballotsRegistered voters who are unable to vote in person can request an absentee ballot by calling 793-9617, Ext. 1. Applications must be received by the district clerk at least seven days before the vote if the

ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Voter logisticsPolls will be open May 19 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Election District 1: Village and Town of Moreau residents vote at the Oliver W. Winch Middle School.

Election District 2: Wilton/Northumberland residents vote at Ballard Elementary School.

Also on the BallotBus proposition

Voters will decide on the purchase of four 65-passenger school buses and one 29-passenger bus with wheelchair option, at a maximum estimated cost of $490,215.

The district will be reimbursed by the state for approximately 69 percent of the bus purchase cost. This purchase will have no tax impact for the 2015-16 school budget.

The proposition is part of the district’s annual bus replacement plan, which replaces the oldest buses each year in order to maintain a safe and operational fleet, and control the maintenance costs that come with keeping older buses on the road.

Transportation factsSouth Glens Falls buses

transport approximately 3,200 students on 69 morning runs and 70 afternoon runs.

The school district buses travel more than 3,600 miles per day.

South Glens Falls Central School District covers 65 square miles.

Since 2009, the transportation department has reduced its total annual mileage by 130,888.

Oliver W. Winch Middle School re-designated as 2015 Essential Elements School to Watch

Oliver W. Winch Middle School has been named a 2015 Essential Elements School to Watch for its fifth consecutive three-year term and will be recognized for its achievement at the state and national level.

The purpose of the program is to promote school improvement and identify and recognize middle-level schools and programs that are academically excellent, developmentally appropriate, socially equitable and organized to ensure continuous improvement. The designated schools are also able to serve as examples for the successful

implementation of the Regents Policy Statement on Middle-Level Education and the NYS State Education Department’s Essential Elements of Standards-Focused Middle-Level Schools and Programs.

The school anticipates a celebration in June that will include students, and representatives will travel to Washington, D.C., in late June to be honored at an upcoming National Schools to Watch conference.