School budgets: Horseheads residents will see tax increase, Elmira holds the line on taxes

Residents in area school districts will have an opportunity to vote on proposed 2024-25 school budgets May 21.

The issues are pretty straightforward in the Elmira City School District, where school officials are once again presenting a budget with zero property tax increase and no major changes in staffing or programs, and in Elmira Heights, where only a slight tax increase is projected.

It's a different situation in the Horseheads Central School District, where officials had to make some difficult decisions — including a significant tax hike — to avoid layoffs and other cuts.

Voters will also get to choose among several candidates running for seats on local school boards.

Here's an overview of what's on the ballot for Chemung County's three largest school districts.

Horseheads Central School District

Officials in the Horseheads Central School District were initially looking at significant layoffs to address a budget shortfall, but the tentative budget — if approved — will avoid layoffs with the help of $5.3 million in reductions that do not impact programming or staff, and $3.7 million transferred from reserves.

Property owners in the district will still see an increase in taxes to close the budget shortfall.

Total spending in the proposed 2023-25 budget is nearly $102.7 million, a 9.37% increase from the current spending plan. School officials blame the increase on significant hikes in healthcare costs, inflation, and state and local aid that have not kept pace with expenses.

The budget calls for a total tax levy of about $47.8 million, up by 9.36% over the current levy. It also exceeds the state-mandated 2% limit on a tax levy increase, requiring 60% voter approval to override the cap.

"The board was very courageous in considering a challenge to the tax cap in this unprecedented budget year for Horseheads," said Superintendent of Schools Thomas J. Douglas. "We were able to use a variety of tools, including our reserves and debt service fund, to significantly offset the local cost to our community, which results in a tax rate increase of 0.73-1.47%, or no more than an estimated maximum of $24 for a $100,000 home."

If residents reject the proposed budget, school officials will develop a revised spending plan that would be presented to voters in June. That plan would have an impact on staffing and programs, the district said.

If that revised budget also fails, the district will implement a state-mandated contingency budget that officials say will result in more severe cuts.

In addition to the budget, residents will be asked to consider approval of a proposition to purchase school buses and vehicles for a total cost not to exceed $1.6 million.

There are also eight candidates running for three seats on the board of education.

Candidates seeking three-year terms are Julie Monahan, Mary Joan Glanton, Susan Ungvarsky, Matthew Feinberg, James Jacobus, Kristine Dale (incumbent), Theresa Cain, and Avery Forcier-Rodabaugh.

For more information, go to horseheadsdistrict.com/HCSDBudget2024-25.cfm.

Elmira City School District

For the fifth straight year, the Elmira Board of Education approved a tentative budget that will keep the property tax rate stable.

The budget totals about $150.7 million, up about $3.7 million from the 2023-24 spending plan. The increase is due mostly to overall price increases in areas like utilities and supply purchases.

Thanks to anticipated increases in state and federal aid, and a $453,520 transfer from reserves, the tax levy will remain identical to last year's amount at nearly $34.9 million.

"As a community and school district, our focus remains on student growth and success," said Superintendent of Schools Hillary J. Austin. "With planned reserve usage, the district is able to preserve a 0% tax increase again this year. Many years of financial planning has helped us to build a budget that engages student-centered learning and is fiscally responsible."

Voters will also choose among five candidates running for three available school board seats.

Incumbents Michele Johnson and Gerald Holleran are seeking re-election, and they are joined by newcomers Michael Hamilton, Michael Thomas and William Finnerty.

For more information, go to elmiracityschools.com/district/board_of_education/school_budget.

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Elmira Heights Central School District

Residents in the Elmira Heights district will have an opportunity to vote on a proposed $27.87 million budget that calls for a small property tax increase.

The tentative 2024-25 budget increases overall spending by just over $1 million, or 3.8%, over the 2023-24 spending plan. That includes an increase in the operating budget but nearly a 25% decrease in capital spending.

The budget calls for a total tax levy of $8.52 million, a 1.5% hike from the current budget.

Voters will also have three candidates to choose from for two available seats on the board of education, with the top two vote-getters winning election.

Candidates are incumbent Terrance "Terry" Day, and newcomers Dominic Cucarelli and Patrick Parks.

For more information, go to heightsschools.com/page/2024-25-budget.

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