The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting today that about 75 people attended an open-format meeting of the Bemus Point School District involving the 2013-14 budget.
Last week the $13.12 million spending plan – which included a 5.17 percent spending increase and a 5.67 percent increase in the tax levy- failed by just a 12 vote margin. Improvements in infrastructure and technology have been cited as key players in the increase. It was the only school budget in Chautauqua County to be voted down by the public.
School officials are in the final stages of crafting a new budget proposal. If the budget is voted down a second time, the district is required to adopt a contingency budget, which requires $424,134 in state-mandated and other possible cuts. Those cuts would include equipment, student supplies and transportation. Other possible cuts include music, art, foreign language offerings, athletic programs and elementary school positions.
The board will hold an open board meeting to present a new budget again on June 3 – along with the contingency budget. A public budget hearing is set for June 11. There will be a re-vote of the budget on June 18.
The Bemus Point School District has repeatedly been ranked at the top or among the top districts in Chautauqua County, according to an annual report by Business First Magazine of Buffalo.
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