arrow icon 2012-13 Budget

Budget Q&A

Updated May 11, 2012

Click on the questions below to see the answer. Please check this page periodically as questions may be added as the budget process continues.

What is the proposed budget for next year? Can I see the line-by-line budget?

How does Mohonasen involve residents as the budget is being developed?

Does the new tax cap law mean school tax levies can’t increase by more than 2 percent?

What tax exemptions can Mohonasen residents receive?

What happens if the proposed budget is defeated on May 15?

What budget cuts were made for 2012-2013? What strategies were used when deciding what to cut and what to keep?

What else is on the ballot on May 15?

How do STATE AND FEDERAL mandates affect the SCHOOL budget?

Why do officials in lower-wealth districts call the state funding formula unfair?

What is Mohonasen’s tax levy limit?

Why is the district heavily reliant on state aid?

Why would the state provide additional money if we perform better with less?

Does the district have a minimum transportation mandate? How far away do students live who are bused to school? Why do buses stop at every house?

Does the district cut student programs/clubs by student interest or what criteria do they use?

Class size is a concern. How did the board determine what it should be when figuring out the budget for 2012-13?

If the district knew they’d be losing federal jobs aid, did they do any planning for it?

Can the district put a limit on the number of special education students in the district? Are the students coming here because of our program?

Can the district use some of the reserve fund to help reduce the number of cuts to staff?

How is the district tapping into grants?

What does a merger save –  jobs, programs, etc. – if we still have same number of students?

What services would be shared by neighboring districts?

Will the feasibility study be made public so that people can trust the results?

Can we redistrict the three schools (Duanesburg, Schalmont and Mohonasen) to two?

Why do I get SNNs about school delays and PTO/PTSO events, but not informing me to fight the state for better funding?

How do you inform the public about the budget?

What is the budget picture for 2012-13?

Can we see the line-by-line budget?

What can I do?

What is a “tax levy limit?”

How is the “tax levy limit” determined for school districts?

Does the tax levy cap law take into account that some expenses are currently outside a district’s control?

What will the property tax levy cap law mean for MY tax bill?

Does the public still vote on school district budgets?

How will I know if Mohonasen is proposing a tax levy above its “tax levy limit,” requiring 60 percent voter approval?

What happens if the budget is not approved by voters?

Will the tax levy cap legislation affect all school districts equally?

If the new law doesn’t actually cap tax levy increases at 2 percent, how will it provide property tax relief?

What tax exemptions can Mohonasen residents receive?

What is the role of the academic administrators? Couldn’t they be replaced by teachers/department heads?

How does Mohonasen compare to other local districts in terms of the number of administrators?

What is the role of the assistant principals?

What is the role of social workers and counselors in the district? Is the district required to have people in these roles?

What is a typical work day for teachers?

How can the district raise money? What are the district’s sources of revenue? Can the district sell items made in school (i.e. artwork, woodshop) or hold other fundraisers?

What volunteer opportunities are available in the district? Could volunteers replace people in paid positions?

Can we eliminate busing for non-public students?

Is there a way to make our bus runs more efficient?

Could we consider extending the distance for bus transportation to save money?

Has Mohonasen considered outsourcing things like transportation and maintenance to save money?

Can we look to cooperate more closely with other schools or the town to buy in bulk, save money, etc.?

Can we eliminate overtime to save money?

Could we consider lowering the heat in each room to 65 degrees?

Has Mohonasen considered merging with another school district or actually creating a countywide school district?

Could we consolidate administration? Is it necessary to have a principal for every building? Could we replace our school administrators with cheaper, retired business executives? How many administrative positions have been added in the last five years?

Can you combine or eliminate unneeded positions in the district office?

Why can’t you just freeze all salaries and benefits?

Why aren’t our employees paying more for health insurance? Could you look at ways to decrease health costs?

Can you eliminate tenure for teachers/administrators?

How does the pension system(s) work and how do we get control of rising pension costs?

Why are taxpayers paying for the school lunch service?

Have you considered placing ads in the building or gym walls to help pay for things like sports?

Why not just eliminate sports, band and other extra-curricular activities?

Could parents pay more for school supplies?

Have you considered on-line learning as a way of saving money?

Have we looked at cutting professional development for teachers and others?

Can’t class sizes increase?

Could we share librarians between buildings?

Do we need nurses at each building?

What has been done to reduce special education costs?

Do you charge for student parking?

Can you charge for sports or the use of certain athletic equipment? Can we charge for students to participate in clubs?

Did the district purchase the 36-acres adjacent to the HS/MS campus?

Have additional budget questions? Send them to us!

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