Questions and Answers
Q. How does the New York State tax cap work?
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.
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Q. How does a school district’s allowable tax levy limit go above 2 percent?
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.
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Q. In addition to the tax cap, what mandates does the government impose on school districts?
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.
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Q. What percentage of voters needs to approve the budget for it to pass?
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.
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Q. If the budget is approved, will homeowners continue to receive a property tax relief credit?
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.
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Q. Where can I find more information on the proposed budget?
A. All budget presentations and supporting documents can be found on the district’s website, www.sachem.edu.
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Q. Where do I vote?
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: https://es.findmypollplace.com/sachemcsd.
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Q. What happens if voters do not approve the budget?
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.
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Q. What would be eliminated under contingency?
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 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
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