A voter asked... Why buy new buses? Why not just fix the old ones?

Because replacing older buses is safer and more cost-efficient in the long run. The 2008-09 budget vote included a separate proposition asking voter permission to purchase three large buses and two small buses. The proposition, which passed, did not increase Schalmont’s current fleet because older buses were traded in towards the purchase of new buses. (Schalmont was eligible for state aid reimbursement on a portion of the total cost.) The proposition was part of an ongoing five-year bus replacement plan designed to keep the district transportation program up-to-date and buses in safe, working order. In the previous school year, Schalmont buses together racked up over 617,000 miles transporting students. The replacement plan takes advantage of the trade-in values of older, heavily used buses before they exceed their life expectancy. It also provides students with new buses constructed based on the latest safety standards.

A voter asked... Why can’t you have a zero tax increase?

Because the cost of education increases every year, usually at a greater rate than increases in aid. Just like homeowners, school districts see uncontrollable increases from year to year in basic staples such as food, energy and fuel. Districts also must meet contractual obligations for employee salaries and benefits and cover the costs associated with unfunded mandates. The district cannot have a true zero growth budget (i.e., “zero tax increase”) without drastic cuts in existing non-mandated programs and/or services (e.g., kindergarten; library services; art, music and physical education programs; summer school; elective courses; interscholastic/intramural sports; non-mandated transportation).

Schalmont administrators look to all other available revenue sources – state and federal aid, interest earnings, facility rental fees, etc. – before turning to local taxpayers to help cover the costs associated with providing all area school children with a free, quality education as required by law. The district currently receives less than 1/3 of its funding through state and federal aid, and any loss in that aid means the district must rely more on the local community. If costs increase while the percentage of aid relative to those costs decreases (as with the 2008-09 school year), the district must increase the school tax levy to balance the annual school budget.

A voter said... I do not see sufficient investigation into cost savings or cost-reducing efforts.

The district is constantly looking for ways to reduce costs and avoid cost increases. Schalmont participates in a Schenectady County schools buying consortium for savings on bus parts, cafeteria food and supplies, computer supplies, paper, trash removal, etc. It also participates in a BOCES energy consortium for savings on natural gas and electricity. The district implemented an energy savings plan at all five school buildings, and this fall, appointed an energy educator/manager to help implement a comprehensive energy conservation and management program. In the 2008-09 budget, 1 FTE position at the MS and 1.2 FTE at the HS were cut due to declining enrollment. Staff positions are regularly reviewed to determine if they can be effectively filled with fewer personnel, such as with the 2007-08 merger of the supervisor of transportation and supervisor of buildings/grounds positions.

A voter asked... Was the new sign really necessary?

The grant-funded electronic sign on the Schalmont High/Middle Schools campus improved communication with the surrounding community and all those who drive on Duanesburg Road. While serving as assemblyman, Paul Tonko helped secure grant money for a variety of enrichment projects in Schalmont Central School District. The electronic sign was one of those projects. It was installed in summer 2007 to provide passers-by with reminders about upcoming school events and information about team and individual student achievements. Thanks to recommendations from the district energy educator/manager, the sign is now shut off between 11:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. to reduce the use of electricity.

A voter said... School taxes unreasonably tax the senior citizens.

Property values, which are established by local town assessors, are the primary factor in determining an individual’s portion of the overall school tax levy. The school tax levy is the amount of money necessary to balance the annual school budget after state aid and other revenue sources are taken into account. An individual’s school tax bill is calculated using the assessed value of his or her property, any applicable exemptions (e.g., Basic or Enhanced STAR), and the school tax rate for the town in which the property owner resides. For more information on exemptions, visit http://www.orps.state.ny.us/home/tpe_index.cfm or your town assessor’s office.

A voter asked... I do not have children. Why should I have to pay for everyone else’s children to attend school?

Historically, the funding of public schools has been the responsibility of all U.S. citizens. There have been compulsory education laws in all 50 states since the early 1900s. New York State in particular has required free, public schooling for all students aged 6 to 16 since 1874. In Schalmont Central School District, revenue from state and federal aid, interest earnings and facility rental fees covers approximately 1/3 of the cost of schooling for local children. The Schalmont community shares the responsibility for the remainder.

A voter asked... With increased revenue from the reevaluation, how could you in good conscience increase taxes at all?

The reassessment did not raise any additional funds for the school district. Property reassessments are designed to bring properties up to full market value. In 2007, the Town of Rotterdam completed a reassessment of all properties within the town for the first time in more than 50 years. The reassessment did not change the total amount of money that the school district collected from local taxpayers (i.e., school tax levy), but it did change how the school tax levy was distributed among taxpayers. While some residents saw an increase in their taxes, others saw a decrease in their taxes.

A voter said... It is time to be conservative when negotiating contracts. Benefit packages are excessive in this day and age.