Haverling budget to raise taxes 2 percent
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - Voters in the Haverling school district go to the polls May 20 to vote on a $30.3 million budget that would raise school taxes by 2 percent for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at 7 p.m. May 13 in the high school auditorium.

The spending plan, which was approved unanimously by the school board's seven members, raises overall spending by 4.2 percent and includes $22.9 million in state aid.

Residents in the six towns comprising the school district would see a variety of tax impacts based on property assessed at $50,000. Different tax impacts stem from varying equalization rates set by New York state in each town, and school officials warn assessments and equalization rates for 2008 have not yet been established.

For senior citizens receiving the enhanced STAR benefit and owning property assessed at $50,000:
Avoca: $0
Bath: $739
Cameron: $337
Howard: $509
Urbana: $0
Wheeler: $0

For all other residents receiving the basic STAR benefit and owning property assessed at $50,000:
Avoca: $346
Bath: $1,085
Cameron: $683
Howard: $855
Urbana: $346
Wheeler: $346

Haverling Business manager Roger Parulsky has cited a variety of factors behind the 4.2 percent increase in appropriations, including a 3.5 percent increase in contractural salaries and a five percent increase in health insurance costs.

At the same time, the school district will not fill two elementary school teaching positions that will open due to retirements.

Haverling Superintendent Marion Tunney, who will review the budget at the May 13 public hearing, called the budget "very fair" and "fiscally sound," adding budget planners prefer regular incremental increases in appropriations and corresponding tax levies.

"A 3 percent increase each year is more palatable than a tax spike,' Tunney said.