Those in the Cato-Meridian School District will be able to vote on three budget propositions when they head to the polls later this month.
The first is approving a school budget of $23,938,925., an $810,323 increase from last year’s budget. This would include a 1.94% tax levy increase.
Proposition two would allow the district to purchase two new school buses and one student transport vehicle, allowing the district to continue its eight year bus replacement plan and keep its entire fleet under warranty. This would have a maximum cost of $366,108 with 90% of those costs being reimbursable through New York State Aid, meaning only 10% of the costs would be shouldered by local tax dollars.
The final proposition is to set up a $10-million dollar Capital Reserve Fund to save for future projects.
Two school board seats are also up for grabs with six candidates running, including current board members Jason Hirvela and Paul Byrne whose terms are expiring, thus causing the elections.
A budget presentation will be held Monday at 6:30p in the elementary school cafeteria. The vote itself will take place on the 16th.
More information on each proposal as well as school board candidates can be found in the district’s newsletter.
