Dear NNCS Families, Friends, and Neighbors,

On April 8 the Board of Education adopted a proposed spending plan for the coming 2014-15 school year. This newsletter will help you understand where the money comes from and how we propose to spend it as well as its impact on you the taxpayer. A full copy of the budget is available in the district office and on our web site.

The guiding force of your school district is the Board of Education. In the following pages you will find information about the candidates seeking election to the available seats. Please plan to attend the May 7 Meet the Candidates Forum at 7 PM in the District Board Room to learn more about them.

You will find details of the budget hearing and annual vote on the cover of this newsletter. Please participate thoughtfully in the process. Your informed involvement is important to the future of this district.

On a personal note, I thank you for the opportunity to serve the Norwood-Norfolk community. This is a special place with many devoted and caring people. In addition, I appreciate the advocacy efforts you made with our elected state officials regarding equitable school funding.

Sincerely, James Cruikshank

Norwood-Norfolk Central School Budget Newsletter 2014-2015

A Message from Mr. James Cruikshank, District Superintendent

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Budget

Highlights

2

3-Part Budget 3

Question &

Answer

4

Board Candidates

5

Valedictorian/

Salutatorian

6

Additional

Information

7

Resolutions/

Voting Info

8

W W W . N N C S K 1 2 . O R G A P R I L 2 0 1 4

Budget Hearing:

May 13, 2014

6:30 pm

Budget Vote:

May 20, 2014

7:30 AM–

8:00 PM

MISSION STATEMENT

The Norwood-Norfolk Central School community will prepare all students to be successful in the 21st Century

by engaging them in challenging learning environments that meet the highest academic, social and ethical

standards. Students will be empowered to achieve their full potential as creative, purposeful lifelong

learners, who strive for academic success, responsible citizenship and well-being in a collaborative, diverse

and dynamic learning community.

Budget Highlights

The proposed budget: Maintains current educational programs with least impact to students Maintains student music and art programs Maintains three half day Pre-Kindergarten sessions Addition of JV Girls Soccer and JV Girls Basketball Increases the school tax levy by 0.489% or $29,908

P A G E 2

Description 2013-2014 2014-2015

Real Property Taxes 6,117,452 6,147,360

State/Federal Aid 12,975,298 12,902,465

Other Miscellaneous 129,357 136,456

Appropriated Fund Balance 505,000 762,590

Reserves 551,394 684,621

TOTAL REVENUE 20,278,501 20,633,492

Tax Levy (including STAR)

30.17%

State/Federal Aid63.99%

Other Misc Revenue

0.64%

Fund Balance2.49% Reserves

2.72%

Revenues - Percent of Budget

Category 2013-2014 2014-2015

Salaries $ 7,235,755 $ 7,498,939

Benefits $ 6,510,377 $ 6,980,862

Debt Service/Transfers $ 2,367,499 $ 1,303,930

BOCES Services $ 1,652,457 $ 1,698,770

Other (contractual, supplies) $ 841,951 $ 858,216

Utilities $ 698,962 $ 623,871

Tuition students with disabilities $ 971,500 $ 1,668,904

TOTAL EXPENSES: $20,278,501 $ 20,633,492

Expenditure Detail by Category

Revenue Detail by Category

37%

34%6%

8%

4%3%

8%

Expenses - Percent of Budget

Salaries

Benefits

Debt Service/Transfers

BOCES Services

Other

Utilities

Tuition BOCES & Residential

Utilizes $1,447,211 in district reserves and fund

balance

Utilizes $1,447,211 in district reserves and fund balance

Represents a 1.75% increase in expenditures

or $354,991

P A G E 3

ADMIN9.00%

PROGRAM

77.81%

CAPITAL13.18%

% of 3-Part Budget Components to Total Budget

FUNCTION 14-15 TOTAL BUDGET ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAM CAPITAL

Board of Education 10,694 10,694

Central Administration 148,169 148,169

Finance 220,014 220,014

Legal Services 17,500 8,750 8750

Personnel 19,407 19,407

Public Information 7,500 7,500

Operation of Plant 833,664 833,664

Maintenance 238,559 238,559

Other Central Services 21,577 10,788 10,789

Special Items 487,668 479,668 8000

Supervision-Regular School 433,392 433,392

In-Service Training 0

Instruction 8,803,911 8,803,911

Transportation 965,582 965,582

Bus Garage 136,563 136,563

Contract Trans 4,500 4,500

Community Service 0

Employee Benefits 6,980,862 $519,651 $6,093,790 $367,421

Debt Service 1,271,930 1,271,930

Transfer to Other Funds 32,000 32,000

TOTAL 20,633,492 1,858,033 16,055,885 2,719,574

PERCENT OF TOTAL 9.00% 77.81% 13.18%

3-Part Budget for 2014-2015 The budget is divided into three components; administrative, program and capital, in accordance with the Commissioner of Education Regulations. The Administrative Budget includes expenses necessary to manage District affairs including Board of Education, Superintendent, District Clerk, Business Office Operations, Legal/Auditing Fees and Building Level Supervision. The Program Budget includes expenses necessary to educate students. Included in the program budget are expenses for classroom instruction, educating students with special needs, library services, nurses office, computer assisted instruction, Guidance Counselor Services, Athletics and Extracurricular Activities, and Transportation. The Capital Budget includes all expenses necessary to operate and maintain the School Facilities. Examples include maintenance and custodial staff, utilities and debt payments for building projects.

Budget Component 2013-2014 2014-2015 $ Change % Change

Administrative $ 1,806,911 $ 1,858,033 $ 51,122 2.83%

Program $14,646,377 $16,055,885 $ 1,409,508 9.62% Capital $ 3,825,213 $ 2,719,574 $(1,105,639) -28.90%

$20,000

$20,500

$21,000

$21,500

$22,000

$22,500

Norwood-NorfolkSt. Lawrence County

Average

$21,656

$22,435

Expenditures Per Pupil - 2011-12 Benchmark Comparisons

Source (seethroughny.net)

Q: How will the tax levy increase impact me?

A: The tax levy is increasing 0.489% or $29,908. For a homeowner with a home assessed at $50,000, this would mean an estimated

total decrease of 8.91 per year or $0.74 per month. For a homeowner with a home assessed at $100,000, this would mean an

estimated total decrease of $2.82 per year or $0.24 per month.

A: Q: Does the tax levy increase stated above indicate how much my taxes will rise?

A: No. The tax levy is the amount of money the school district can raise through property taxes. The law applies to the

school district tax levy, not tax rates or individual tax bills. The amount an individual will pay to contribute to the levied amount is the

tax rate. The amounts stated above are estimates. Tax rates paid by individual taxpayers may differ greatly from one household to

another, depending on such things as equalization rates and assessed property values. In addition, STAR exemptions can impact an

individual tax bill. The school district does not control equalization rates, assessed property values or STAR exemption amounts.

Q: What is the tax levy cap and how does it work?

A: The New York State property tax “ cap” limits the annual increase in the tax levies of school districts. Each district will

have a different calculated tax levy limit or “cap”. If a district proposes a tax levy increase at or below the calculated cap, the district

needs a simple majority of 50 percent plus 1 vote to pass the budget. If the district proposes a budget with a tax levy higher than the

calculated limit, the district needs a supermajority (at least 60 percent) to pass the budget.

Q: Does the tax cap mean my annual property tax can’t increase more than 2 percent?

A: Not Necessarily. New York’s property tax cap law establishes a tax levy cap for each school district. The “ cap” allows

school districts to increase their property tax levy from one year to the next by 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less,

based on a multi-step formula. School districts are then allowed to take certain exemptions that may boost their tax levy limits to more

than 2 percent or the inflation rate.

Q: Does the NNCS proposed tax levy increase of .0489% exceed the maximum allowable under the tax cap?

A: No. The proposed tax levy increase in this budget proposal is below the maximum allowable tax levy increase allowed

by law.

Q: What is the district contributing to reduce the 2014-2015 Budget Gap? What is the risk?

A: As indicated on page 2, the District is prepared to allocate a total of $1,447,211 from fund balance and reserves to reduce

the 2014-2015 budget gap to avoid staff and program reductions. Balancing a budget with reserves and fund balance is building a

deficit budget. The 2015-2016 budget building process will automatically start with a gap of $1,447,211 and this does not consider

increases to expenses. Using reserves and fund balance is similar to you using a savings account to pay bills, however, your

expenses increase year to year at a rate higher than your income increase. In addition, if there is no method in place to replenish

reserves and fund balance, the district will eventually deplete its savings.

Q: What steps has the district taken to reduce costs?

A: Currently, all bargaining unit members are contributing to the cost of health insurance premiums. The Teachers Association,

Administrators, Superintendent, Business Manager and other exempt staff are contributing 10%. The CSEA Unit is now contributing a

flat dollar amount which will continue to increase each year until 2014 and will reach nearly a 10% contribution in 2014-15.

Other examples of cost savings include: sharing services with neighboring districts, re-aligning bus routes, working with NYPA to

reduce energy costs, participating in a cooperative bid to lock in lower diesel fuel rates and participating in an electricity consortium to

lock in lower electricity rates.

The District continues to generate income by sharing our fuel station with the Town of Norfolk, the Village of Norwood and St.

Lawrence County.

P A G E 4

Question & Answer

P A G E 5

I would like to continue serving on the BOE because I wish to help the NNCS students, teachers,

administration, and community work together to keep a well-rounded, viable educational program

in place for all students through these tough economic times.

My Vision for the Norwood-Norfolk Central School is to maintain the current educational

opportunities while attempting to reinstate and repair the damage done to the educational system

since the economic collapse of 2008. I wish to ensure that we are preparing to move forward and

keep our students and community competitive in the 21st century global work force and economy.

This will require everyone to work together as a collective community to ensure what is best for

our children for generations to come.

Educational Background: Norwood-Norfolk graduate 1987, B.A. in Music Education and Music

Performance, Ithaca College 1992, Master in Music Education. Crane School of Music, 1996. Mr. Jon Hunkins

Current Board Of Education Members

President: Jon Hazen

Vice President: Jonathan Hunkins

Board Members: Karl Fetter, Suzanne Fiacco, David Flint, George Fulk, Stephen Markum, Thomas Scott, Mary Ellen Todd

I am a lifelong resident of Norwood. I am retired from Norwood DPW. I have served on the

Board of Education for the past 3 years and wish to continue.

I believe that the Board needs non-teacher representation so that all groups in the community are

represented when making decisions about children’s education and fiscal decisions of the school

district. I do believe we need to have a diverse group from all walks of life that represent all

community members. We need to work together to keep Norwood-Norfolk a viable district. I

hope that you as a voter will support me in the upcoming board elections.

Educational Background: Norwood-Norfolk Graduate (Class of 1976), Attended Canton

College, 4 years US Army stationed in Germany, Village foreman for the Norwood Department of

Public Works, Past Commander of the Norwood American Legion, currently Vice-commander Mr. Karl J. Fetter

Board Candidates

May 7th, 2014 “Meet the Candidates”

7:00 P.M. District Board Room

P A G E 6

“Our greatest

weakness lies in

giving up. The most

certain way to

succeed is always to

try just one more

time.”

Thomas A. Edison

Valedictorian

Salutatorian Cadence Hunkins, daughter of Jonathan and Christine Hunkins of Norwood, is

salutatorian of the class of 2014 with an average of 94.68. Cadence is a bright

young lady who excels in academics, music and sports. She will be graduating

with an Advanced Regents Diploma with honors. She has taken honors courses

throughout high school including A.P. American history, A.P. English and A.P.

Calculus, as well as other upper level science and math courses.

Cadence is involved in many extracurricular activities including Varsity Club, Key

Club, and National Honor Society. She has also ran cross country during her

freshman and sophomore years, played basketball all four years, and ran track

her sophomore, junior, and senior years. Furthermore, she has participated in

NYSMMA since fifth grade, in Area All State since ninth grade and in All County

Band since ninth grade.

Cadence participates in multiple activities outside of school. She is an equestrian

and competes frequently. She does community service including bell ringing for

Salvation Army, doing food drives for Angel Tree, gift wrapping for Habitat for

Humanity, and babysitting on report card nights.

Cadence has been the recipient of many awards including the Nicole Fleury

Award, Sportsmanship Award for basketball, NAC All Academic every school year,

and received the Augsbury Scholarship from St. Lawrence University.

Cadence plans to attend SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry in the fall to

major in Conservation Biology.

VISIT THE BUSINESS SERVICES PAGE AT WWW.NNCSK12.ORG TO LEARN MORE ABOUT

BUDGET RELATED MATTERS

Gabrielle Cole, daughter of Jim and Cheryl Cole of Norwood, is valedictorian of

the class of 2014 with an average of 97.52. Gabi is an intelligent young lady

who excels in academics and sports. She will be graduating with an Advanced

Regents Diploma with honors. She has taken honors courses throughout high

school including A.P. American History, A.P. Calculus, A.P. English, as well as

upper level sciences and math courses.

Gabi is involved in many activities including Varsity Club, and National Honor

Society. She has played soccer and softball all four years of high school. She

has held leadership positions including National Honor Society president, class

vice president, and Band vice president.

Gabi participates in community service activities including bell ringing for the

Salvation Army and gift wrapping for Angel Tree. She also works part time as a

life guard at SUNY Potsdam and at St. Lawrence University.

Gabi has been recognized with many awards including the Clarkson Leadership

Award, the Brown Book Award, University of Rochester Baush and Lomb

Honorary Science Award, and she is a Rensselear Medalist.

“Opportunity does

not knock, it

presents itself when

you beat down the

door.”

Kyle Chandler

Other students receiving a 90 or above overall high school average are: Dayna Bellardini, Robert Bendt, Julia Freiman, Cortney Harvey, Miranda Langtry, Brittany

Monica, William Schiavone, Hannah Seguin, Heidi Simons, Emily Sullivan

P A G E 7

GREEN AND GOLD NIGHT NNCS high school students celebrated the 12th annual Green and Gold Night on Thursday (March 20th). This tradition was started by school spirit leader, Mrs. Derouchie and recently adopted last year by

the NNCS Varsity Club. Green and Gold Night is a friendly but intense competition between Team Green (grade 9 and 12) and Team Gold (grade 10 and 11). This year varsity club members

chose to include many team games like handball, floor hockey, 6 vs. 6

basketball, but also kept traditional competitions like relay races and the obstacle course. The sports marketing class also tested and

lead students through a series of fun and challenging minute-to-win-it games. The gym was most loud, with over 100 students participating as well as many parents and middle school

students, when the tug-of-war competition went back and forth with each team coming within centimeters of winning but the other team pulling to come back

multiple times!

Cody Jenne, a 2012 NNCS graduate brought energy and his entertaining commentary skills as the MC for the night.

In the end, after a close score all

night, the Gold Team was victorious by two points. Win or lose, students enjoyed a fun filled night of competition! Thank you to all of the parents, teachers, maintenance

staff, and administrators who

helped make this a huge success!

Syracuse University Tour Twenty NNCS students had the opportunity to tour the campus of Syracuse University, attend an inspiring marketing tour of the Carrier Dome, and watch the final senior home game of the season for the SU men’s basketball team. On March 4th, the group headed to admissions at Syracuse University where they watched a v i d e o p r e s e n t a t i o n f or perspective students and participated in a question/answer session with an admissions counselor. Did you know Syracuse prides itself on some of its famous graduates like sportscaster Bob Costas, who took around 30 Syracuse marketing students with him to the Sochi Olympics this year? Others include Vice President Joe Biden and Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb and singer Vanessa Williams. The group then ventured out for a Syracuse campus tour in the brisk winter air. The tour guide impressed the group with the list of clubs offered on campus from Quidditch club to intramural sports to chess and underwater hockey (“the slowest game on campus”). It was also im pr es s ive to s ee th e greenhouse built on top of the biology building!

NNCS Spreads Autism

Awareness

Working Together To Make A

Difference

Following April’s student of the month assembly, some students from Norwood-Norfolk Central School gathered to form the shape of a puzzle piece to promote Autism Awareness. The K-Kids of NNCS sponsored a fundraiser to help fund St. Lawrence County NYSARC. Funding will help provide resource libraries for families with a member on the Autism Spectrum, and for specialized trainings for staff members relating to Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Norwood-Norfolk Elementary Library donated an autism picture book to each elementary classroom teacher. Thank you to everyone who contributed to make all this possible.

Voting Information

Resolutions for Voters Proposition 1: RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Norwood-Norfolk Central School District be authorized to expend the sum set forth in the amount of $20,633,492 and to levy the necessary tax therefore.

Proposition 2: RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Norwood-Norfolk Central School District is hereby authorized to purchase one (1) thirty passenger bus and two (2) sixty-passenger buses at a cost not to exceed 250,000, and if necessary, to issue a five-year statutory bus bond, and to levy the necessary tax therefore.

Proposition 3: Resolution for the election of Board of Education members. There will be three openings for three-year terms. Candidates for these positions are:

Karl Fetter Jonathan Hunkins

Eligibility to Vote To be a qualified voter, a person must be a U.S. Citizen who is 18 years of age or older and a resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to the vote.

Absentee Ballots Qualified voters may apply for absentee ballots at the district clerk’s office and a list of persons to whom absentee ballots have been issued will be available for inspection in the district clerk’s office during each of the five days prior to the day of election, except Sunday.

Polling Site Voting on the 2014-15 budget and annual election of candidates for the Board of Education will be held in the District Board Room at the Senior High School on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 between the hours of 7:30 AM and 8:00 PM.

P A G E 8

Norwood-Norfolk Central School District

7582 State Highway 56

Norwood, NY 13668

To: Local Postal Patron

Pre-Sorted Standard Non Profit Organization Permit No. 2 Norwood, NY 13668 US Postage Pd. CART-RT-PRESORT