Higher state aid imroves Haverling's 2007-08 budget picture
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - Haverling school board members last week approved a $29.1 million budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year that includes more than $400,000 in additional state revenues.

The increased aid allows the district to reduce a projected 4.9 increase in the tax levy to an increase of 4.76 percent. The tax rate will increase to $16.99 per $1000 of market value, down from the $17.19 per $1,000 that Business Manager Roger Parulski had forecast last month.

School Superintendent Marion Tunney Friday noted the state budget passed by the Legislature early last week contained $409,000 in additional state aid for the district. The funding package allows the district to draw fewer funds from its reserve account in addition to cutting the tax levy increase.

"It wasn't spectacular, but they did come back with an increase," Tunney said of state budget negotiators. She noted the revised budget carries a tax increase below the state-proscribed level for a contingency budget - the spending plan that would be instituted under law if voters reject the proposed budget.

"If this budget gets voted down, (taxes) would go up more," Tunney said.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 8. It will go before voters the following week.

Parulski last month said appropriations reflect a 3.7 contractual increase in payroll expenses. Health insurance costs also will increase by $580,000, while the cost of BOCES special education services will rise by $200,000.

Separately, the district plans to initiate a pre-kindergarten program for children who turn four by Dec. 1. That program may require the hiring of a teacher's aide, Parulski said, although he noted the district has staff on board who can be used as prekindergarten teachers.