Watervliet City School District residents voted by a margin of 237 to 86 to pass the proposed $21,299,784 budget for the 2008-09 school year. Incumbents Mark Scully and Virginia Mullaney were both reelected to the Watervliet Board of Education. Scully had 298 votes and Mullaney had 291 votes.

The plan represents a 9 percent increase in spending over the current year’s budget and would result in an estimated 1.5 percent tax rate increase if approved by voters on May 20.

The spending increase is a direct result of the district receiving increased foundation aid under the New York’s Contract for Excellence (C4E) program. Under C4E, Watervliet will receive approximately $1 million that must be used in very specific ways as prescribed by the state. These funds cannot be used to reduce local school taxes.

“This proposal really targets our resources to the students and the areas where we need the most improvement,” said Superintendent Paul Padalino. “We’re continuing our forward momentum in reading and literacy districtwide, as well as focusing on mathematics and special education.”

Padalino stressed that the budget proposal includes no cuts to staff or programs and in fact adds many new initiatives. Translated into real dollars, a 1.5 percent tax rate increase would mean a tax increase of approximately $28 for the average homeowner in Watervliet and $31 for Mannsville homeowners.

Board of Education Election:

Incumbents Virginia Mullaney and Mark Scully were both elected to seats on the Board. They were both incumbents who ran unopposed.
 

More budget information:

• Click here to read the budget newsletter.

Please read on to see some highlights of this year's budget.

Program Additions & Highlights

• New reading teacher at the Jr./Sr. High School to continue and expand the district’s literacy efforts.

• Additional math specialist at Watervliet Elementary School to provide additional support for students with academic needs.

• New special education class at the Jr./Sr. High School to continue the district’s efforts to bring students back from outside placements that are costly and not as effective as we think we can be with our own programs.

• Expanded summer school offerings for students of all ages, with a focus on enhancing programs for middle school and special education students.

• New math curriculum for summer school and academic intervention classes.

• Continuation of Reading First program at WES, focusing on developing literacy skills for all students by grade 3.

Technology Additions & Highlights

Tax Cap information:

Education leaders across the state understand the need for property tax relief. However, many are concerned that if a property tax cap is enacted in New York— as the Governor and many lawmakers have proposed—it will come at the expense of our public schools.

Read more about this issue in "Searching for Property Tax Relief"  a position paper from the Superintendents’ Legislative Committee of the Questar III and Capital Region BOCES.

• New student data management system.

• Upgrades to library automation at WES.

• Macintosh computer lab at WES.

• Installation of new fiber optic lines to replace outdated T1 lines and improve internet connectivity throughout the district

Administrative Additions & Highlights

• Additional staff positions in business office, as recommended by the NYS Comptroller’s audit.

• Additional clerical support for central registration and human resources.

Visit us at www.watervlietcityschools.org!