Sachem Central School District

A. In 2011, New York State enacted a property tax levy limit for school districts, local governments, libraries, and fire and water districts – a stated, but flexible 2 percent increase above the previous year’s levy. The rate of inflation and specified exclusions and adjustments can allow for greater or lesser increases. School districts follow an eleven-step process that also reflects tax base growth and the previous year’s payments in lieu of taxes to calculate their actual tax levy limit.

The district’s proposed budget is tax cap-compliant and within the allowable limit, as it has been for the past 7 years.

A. The law excludes certain portions of a district’s tax levy from the calculation. These exclusions add to the district’s tax levy limit, increasing the amount of taxes it is allowed to levy while still being tax cap-compliant.

This year’s larger-than-average percentage increase is primarily driven by a $5 million reduction in State Building Aid.

Keep in mind that individual homeowners' tax bills may differ, based on a variety of factors, including the taxable value of the property as determined by the town.

A. All levels of government impose a variety of mandates for which school districts must pay. These include, but are not limited to:

• Part 154 – ELL Mandates
• BOCES administrative fees
• Special Education mandates
• Mandated testing and scoring
• Auditing and financial compliance
• Academic Intervention Services (AIS)
• Health insurance premium increases
• Pension and retirement contributions
• Implementation of APPR and Common Core Learning Standards, with accompanying staff development and new classroom material costs

Like most expenses related to government directives, these generally increase rather than decrease annually.

A. Sachem’s proposed budget represents a tax levy increase of 5.73 percent, which is at the district’s tax levy cap. A simple majority of voters is needed to approve the plan.

A. Yes. According to the law this year, a homeowner will receive a property tax rebate check
from New York State if the school district’s budget is within the allowable tax levy cap, the homeowner earns less than $275,000 and the homeowner is eligible for the STAR exemption. The rebate checks for 2018-19 are based on a percentage of STAR savings and gross income. They are no longer a fixed amount and will vary. For the majority of Sachem homeowners, these rebate checks will range from approximately $121 to $261, depending on gross income level. This will significantly offset or in some cases negate any increase in school property taxes.

A. All budget presentations and supporting documents can be found on the district’s website, Sachem Central School District 

A. This year, the district has made a change to voter locations. Community members will now vote at one of our 10 elementary schools. Residents will vote at the elementary school that corresponds with the student attendance zones of the district’s 10 elementary schools. To find your polling place, or to see if you are registered, use this link: Sachem CSD Poll Place Finder. 

A. If voters defeat the proposed budget, the district has two options: put the same or a revised budget up for a revote, or adopt a contingency budget. If a proposed budget is defeated twice, a contingency budget must be adopted. If that were to occur, state law mandates that the tax levy increase over the current year be capped at zero percent. The Board would need to reduce expenditures by $10,150,499. 

A. Below is a summary outline of some items that must be removed by statute and others for consideration. Please be aware that reductions to the administrative and program budgets are also controlled by a formula. These proposals below meet the necessary requirements.
All Capital projects and expenditures. Total $2,851,624

• Partial Waverly roof replacement 
• HS North pool pump, filter, chlorinator, etc.
• Fuel tanks at the transportation garage
• Six new school buses

Addition of thirteen Security guards. Total $512,427

• One for each elementary school (ten in total)
• One for each middle school (three in total)

Addition of World Language program in seventh grade. Total $461,292 

Co-Curricular Club Additions – twenty-six clubs districtwide. Total $63,786 

Supplemental student accident insurance.  Total $300,000 

All new Facilities Equipment, as well as proposed increases for various supplies, materials, and contractual expenditures. Total $773,385

All new Instructional Technology Equipment, as well as proposed increases for various supplies and materials. Total $599,000 

All new Athletic Equipment, as well as proposed increases for various supplies and materials. Total $230,500 

Reductions to the Administrative budget – TBD. Total $799,754 

Reductions to the Instructional Program – TBD. Total $3,558,731 

Total Necessary Reductions: $10,150,499