The Waverly School District will hold community budget presentations the next three nights to discuss their $31 million spending plan, which includes a proposed property tax levy increase of 5 percent. Superintendent Randy Richards says the district needs to raise taxes in part to help pay for a mandatory $1 million health care increase. The district also elected to keep Chemung Elementary open for next year after hearing from community members. There had been talk about closing the school to save money. The tax increase is above the maximum allowable amount from the state, so the district will need 60 percent voter approval for the budget to pass.
Public presentations on the budget will be held before tonight’s Barton Town Board meeting at 6:30, before the Village of Waverly trustees’ meeting tomorrow at 6:30pm, and before the Town of Chemung board meeting at 7pm Wednesday. New York State residents will vote on school budgets next Tuesday, May 17.
