LOCKPORT —
The budget picture for Lockport City Schools isn’t clear yet, but it slowly coming into focus. District officials at least know what their property tax levy cap will be for the 2012-13 budget.
Under the new tax cap law, Lockport will only be able to raise the property tax levy by 2.285 percent. The exact limit wasn’t calculated until this week, when schools across the state received their tax base growth factor from the state. The factor was needed in the formula schools use to determine their tax cap.
“It’s not a 2 percent tax cap,” said Deborah Coder, the district’s assistant superintendent for finance.
As the budget stands, the Lockport budget is around $80 million, roughly a $1 million increase in spending from the current school year. At an increase of 2.285 percent the tax levy would be around $34.8 million.
The current plan is to increase the use of reserve funds by $110,000 and the fund balance by $625,000. Superintendent Michelle T. Bradley said as of now, the district will have 15 retirements and two positions reduced. Of those 17 positions, nine will be cut, seven will be filled and one will be funded but not filled. That all adds up to $728,259.33 in savings. Currently the district has a freeze on all spending, which started Feb. 1.
But after those items, if the tax levy is raised the full 2.285 percent, the city school district will still have to cut an additional $632,541 in spending.
In other board action, board members accepted the retirement of Susan Grigg, the assistant superintendent for personnel. Grigg’s retirement is effective May 1 after 30 years in the district. Current Director of Student Services and Special Education Lisa Epolito was appointed Wednesday as Grigg’s successor at a salary of $115,000. Epolito’s post will be filled by Sharon Lansing, the current director of early childhood programs and school health services, at a salary of $105,377. Lansing will be replaced by Barbara Surace at a salary of $89,274, while Surace’s current position as nurse practitioner will be cut.
The appointments are all effective May 1.
Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.
Local News
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Lockport budget picture coming into focus
Tax cap is 2.285 percent
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