A Vestal middle school technology teacher and an elementary school teacher will have jobs next year thanks to an 11th-hour gift from the state. But it’s not enough to save everyone’s job. Vestal’s nearly $73 million budget will include a tax levy of 2.95 percent. That’s 0.5 percent below the district’s maximum levy allowed by the state, which was set at 3.45 percent. Superintendent Mark LaRoach announced to the board Tuesday night the district will also receive $904,000 in state aid, which will be used to help fill a nearly $2 million budget gap. LaRoach said that money will save a middle school technology position and an elementary position. But even with the aid,15 positions and an athletic team will be cut. LaRoach says any state aid not spent will be added to the budget for flexibility, or any other contingency spending that’s required. If the money isn’t used in the 2013-14 budget, LaRoach says it will roll over to help fill out the budget for the next year. There is a public hearing for Vestal’s budget on May 14.
