Proposed school budget up 9.56 percent for ‘04-05 school year

Warwick-Taxpayers in the Warwick Valley Central School District are looking at an increase of 9.56 percent in the coming year's budget. The proposed $64,896,243 budget is up $5,660,429 from last year's. Residents can have their say at the last of the budget sessions on Monday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center at the middle school. The bulk of the increase is in contractual obligations for existing staff members. Salary increases make up nearly 4 percent of the jump. Health insurance and other benefits will cost an additional $2 million or 3.5 percent. In his presentation to the district, schools Superintendent Joseph Natale said an assessment analyst, and directors of music & art, and technology are being eliminated from a three-year instructional staffing plan. The part of the budget dealing with growth shows an increase of less than one percent. One elementary teacher, one middle school teacher and one guidance counselor at the high school are included in the growth budget. A special education aide and teacher, and several non-instructional support staff members are also included in this budget. There will be three board of education seats up for grabs as well. Incumbents Debra Holton-Smith and Paul Caskey are seeking their second three-year terms. Three others are also looking to occupy seats on the board, including Michael Meinhardt, John Moore, and John Blake, all former board of education members. The election and budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 18, at the middle school, Kings Elementary, and Pine Island Elementary, from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Anyone who lives in the Warwick Valley Central School District who wishes to vote in this election, must register prior to May 12 at the district office any business day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A registration day is being held on May 11 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Middle School, Kings Elementary School, and Pine Island Elementary School.