IROQUOIS
NEWSLETTER
BOX 32
Elma, New York
May 2015
Volume 48 Issue 5
Public Budget Hearing and
Board of Education Meeting
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 - 6:30 PM
Intermediate Building Cafeteria
Voter Qualifications for May 19 Budget Vote
* Citizen of the United States
* At least 18 years old
* District resident for at least 30 days
just prior to the vote
* Must be eligible under Section 5-106
of the Election Law
* No pre-registration required
Note: Individuals who are first-time voters
should be prepared to provide identification to
the poll inspector at the time of voting.
Instructions for obtaining
an Absentee Ballot
Applications for the May 19, 2015 Budget Vote/
Board of Education Election are currently available in the
District Clerk’s office.
To request an application:
* Stop in the District Clerk’s office
(Room 34) of the Intermediate Building or;
* Email [email protected] and
request an application or;
* Mail your request to the ICS District Clerk,
PO Box 32, Elma, NY 14059.
Requests must be received no later than
May 12, 2015 if the ballot is to be mailed.
SPECIAL BUDGET ISSUE
ANNUAL VOTE MAY 19, 2015
INTERMEDIATE GYMNASIUM
7:30 am—9:00 pm
Page 2
Iroquois Newsletter
Iroquois Central School District 2015-2016
Budget/Board of Education Election
May 19, 2015
7:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Iroquois Intermediate Gymnasium
PROPOSITION NO. 1
ENTIRE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM BUDGET 2015-2016
Shall the following resolution be adopted to wit:
Resolved, that the budget for the Iroquois Central School District, Erie County (the “District”)
for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2015, as presented by the Board of Education, is hereby approved and adopted, in an amount not to exceed $46,648,435, and the required funds
therefore are hereby appropriated and the necessary real property taxes required shall be
raised by a tax on the taxable property in said District to be levied and collected as required
by law.
PROPOSITION NO. 2
PURCHASE OF PUPIL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES
Shall the following resolution be adopted to wit:
Resolved, that the Board of Education of the Iroquois Central School District is hereby authorized to undertake the acquisition of four 62-passenger school buses, two 20-passenger
buses and one van, all at an estimated maximum aggregate cost of $544,000, less trade-in
value, if any, and that such sum or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by
the levy of a tax to be collected in annual installments, with such tax to be partially offset by
state aid available therefore; and, in anticipation of such tax, debt obligations of the school
district as may be necessary not to exceed such estimated maximum aggregate cost shall be
issued, or the school district may enter into an installment purchase contract if the Board of
Education determines that it is in the best interest of the school district to finance the purchase in that method.
PROPOSITION NO. 3
TECHNOLOGY PROJECT
Shall the following resolution be adopted to wit:
Resolved, that the Board of Education of the Iroquois Central School District, Erie County, is
hereby authorized, to expend $200,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund of the District known
as the “Technology Reserve Fund” (as established by the District’s voters at the District vote
held on May 19, 2005) for the purpose of purchasing computer hardware, computer software
and computer connectivity equipment.
Iroquois Newsletter
Page 3
Where the Money Goes
EXPENDITURES
2014-15
2015-16
% Change
Includes: K-12 instructional programs, supervision, BOCES,
special education, occupational education, community education,
interscholastic athletics, co-curricular programs, library programs &
computer instruction
$22,804,224
$24,366,635
6.85%
$12,185,188
$12,390,820
1.69%
$5,517,246
$5,488,343
-0.52%
$2,536,625
$2,524,229
-0.49%
$1,912,627
$1,878,408
-1.79%
$44,955,910
$46,648,435
3.76%
Instruction
Employee benefits
Includes: Teachers' & Employee Retirement Systems, health
insurance, unemployment insurance, Social Security & Workers'
Compensation
General Support
Includes: Insurance, school board, refunds on property tax,
utilities, BOCES administrative fees, central offices, buildings &
grounds
Transportation
Includes: Transportation to public & non-public schools, vocational
schools, educational field trips & children with handicapping
conditions
Debt/Interfund transfer
Includes: Principle & interest payments for renovation projects/
additions approved by voters (off-set by Revenue Building Aid)
TOTAL
Page 4
Iroquois Newsletter
Iroquois Central School District
Projected Revenues
Projected 2015 - 2016 Revenue
State Aid
State Building Aid
Appropriated Fund Balance
Erie County Sales Tax
Use of Reserves
Other Revenue
Property Tax
TOTAL REVENUE
2014-15
$11,049,093
$1,345,504
$1,933,393
$2,464,670
$647,043
$592,525
$26,923,682
$44,955,910
2015-16
$11,927,638
$1,345,504
$1,773,612
$2,539,670
$657,802
$561,605
$27,842,604
$46,648,435
Increase/Decrease
$878,545
7.95%
$0
0.00%
($159,781)
-8.26%
$75,000
3.04%
$10,759
1.66%
($30,920)
-5.22%
$918,922
3.41%
$1,692,525
3.76%
Tax Levy
2013-2014 Instructional Expenditures
(per student)
Iroquois Tax Levy History
Year
Levy %
1999-00
3.78
2000-01
3.26
2001-02
4.89
2002-03
5.07
2003-04
7.95
2004-05
8.80
2005-06
8.78
2006-07
5.99
2007-08
8.03
2008-09
5.93
2009-10
4.97
2010-11
3.98
2011-12
4.98
2012-13
3.42
2013-14
2.24
2014-15
3.14
2015-16
3.41
General Education
Special Education
Iroquois CSD
$ 8,860
$24,388
Similar Districts
$10,266
$29,257
All NYS Public
Schools
$11,260
$29,922
Iroquois Student Earns All-Eastern Honors
Sponsored by the National Association of
Music Educators, high school senior flutist Erin
Keppner recently returned from her participation
in the All Eastern Honor Band Music Festival in
Providence, RI. Erin was chosen for this honor
upon auditioning last spring at the NYSSMA All
State Solo Festival. The student participants in
these groups are chosen from amongst 12 states
on the East Coast and thus selection is rare and
extremely competitive. Erin participates in band,
jazz, chorus and orchestra in her high school music program, as well as the Greater Buffalo Youth
Orchestra, Southtowns Youth Orchestra, and a myriad of county and state
honors groups. Erin plans to pursue flute performance in a collegiate music
school in the fall.
Iroquois Newsletter
Page 5
Developing Future Leaders
Students in grades 5-8 recently spent their Saturday developing skills and discussing what it takes to be a leader in today’s
world. On April 11 the Iroquois High School Student Government and the Character Education Committee conducted a leadership conference for middle school students. The conference was
an idea generated by the High School Student Government members after they attended several conferences at the state and national levels. In early October, Gunnar Haberl, 2014-2015 Student Government President, put a plan together and presented the
idea to the High School Character Committee. Due to the diligence of students, staff, and administration, the conference became reality.
SGB President Gunnar Haberl and Paige Hapeman
welcome MS students
The theme of the conference was “Leadersworld - Where
all of your leadership dreams come true!” Many of the activities
incorporated leadership skills that Walt Disney himself left as a legacy in his own Disney Leadership programs. The opening session included a film about Walt Disney in which Middle School students learned
how Disney took an idea and developed it into a worldwide trademark and business. His leadership philosophy is still being used in the day-to-day operations of the Disney Corporation.
Students spent the remainder of the day listening to guest speakers, working with high school students, doing community service projects, and honing in on their own leadership abilities. The guest speakers
included current teachers/counselors, retired administrators, a professional football player, Erie County court
judge and local FBI and law enforcement agents. Each one of the speakers connected the importance of good
leadership qualities to their specific career.
The closing session, which was sponsored by the Iroquois Foundation, was both enlightening and educational. Students were treated to a performance by Nel Ross, a motivational speaker and stunt performer. The goals that the Student Government set out with were met…. Middle school students walked away
with much more than just a t-shirt, they walked away knowing that they are not alone in this world, they
know how to stand up for themselves, they know that they are their best advocate and they know that the right
decision is not always the most popular decision.
Above Middle School students participate in leadership developing activities
Page 6
Iroquois Newsletter
Considerations For Budget Preparation
Completely and unwaveringly committed to serving the interests of our students;
Committed to exercising care and good judgment in managing the resources with which we are entrusted;
Committed to conducting business in an open, objective, and professional manner;
Future-focused planning and committed to constant improvement.
2015-2016 Proposed Budget
$46,648,435
Budget-to-Budget Increase: 3.76%
Projected Tax Levy Increase
3.41% increase over current levy
Total Levy of $27,842,604
Estimated Tax Rate *
$16.58 per $1,000 assessed value
An estimated increase of 55 cents per $1,000 assessed value
(*Based on current assessments and equalization rates)
Estimated School Tax Bill
Without Basic STAR Subsidy Applied
Property’s Actual Estimated
True Value 2014-15
2015-16
Difference
With Basic STAR Subsidy Applied
Property’s Actual Estimated
True Value 2014-15
2015-16
Difference
$100,000
$1,603
$1,658
$55
$100,000
$1,123
$1,161
$38
$200,000
$3,206
$3,316
$110
$200,000
$2,726
$2,819
$93
$300,000
$4,809
$4,974
$165
$300,000
$4,329
$4,477
$148
$400,000
$6,412
$6,632
$220
$400,000
$5,932
$6,135
$203
3.41% Tax Levy
If budget is defeated
Determine:
(based on voter exit poll)
0.00% Tax Levy
(adopted with 2 failed
budgets)
All current academic, athletic and extra-curricular programs remain intact.
A) reduce athletic expenditures by eliminating modified and low participating junior varsity and varsity sports along with reduction of extracurricular clubs by 50%
OR
B) return to voters with the same proposed budget.
100% of Athletic and Extra Curricular Clubs
High School Reductions: AP Offerings, Electives, Increased Class Size,
Computer Labs, Art Classes, Business/Tech Classes & Dept. Chairs.
Middle School Impact: Class Sizes Increase to Max. of 27, Reduction of
Computer Lab & Technology Classes.
Primary Levels: Increased Class Size to max. of 27, Elimination of Instrumental Band and Chorus.
Iroquois Newsletter
Page 7
School District Budget Notice
Budget Adopted
for the 2014-15
School Year
Overall Budget Proposal
Total Budgeted Amount, Not Including Separate Propositions
$44,955,910
Increase/Decrease for the 2014-15 School Year
Budget Proposed
for the 2015-16
School Year
$46,648,435
Contingency Budget
for the 2015-16 School
Year *
$45,828,223
$ 1,692,525
$
Percentage Increase/Decrease in Proposed Budget
3.76 %
Change in the Consumer Price Index
1.62 %
872,313
1.94%
A. Proposed Tax Levy to Support the Total Budgeted Amount
$26,923,682
$27,842,604
B. Levy to Support Library Debt, if Applicable
0.00
0.00
C. Levy for Non-Excludable Propositions, if Applicable **
0.00
0.00
D. Total Tax Cap Reserve Amount Used to Reduce Current Year Levy
0.00
0.00
E. Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy (A + B + C - D)
$26,923,682
$27,842,604
F. Permissible Exclusions to the School Tax Levy Limit
$ 39,214
$ 126,461
G. School Tax Levy Limit, Excluding Levy for Permissible Exclusions
$26,884,468
$27,716,143
H. Total Proposed Tax Levy for School Purposes, Excluding Permissible Exclusions and Levy for Library Debt, Plus Prior Year Tax Cap Reserve (E - B F + D)
$26,884,468
$27,716,143
I. Difference: (G – H); (Negative Value Requires 60.0% Voter Approval –
See Note Below Regarding Separate Propositions) **
$0.00
$0.00
Administrative Component
$ 4,695,705
$ 4,780,834
$ 4,760,401
Program Component
$33,951,777
$35,690,526
$34,930,628
Capital Component
$ 6,308,428
$ 6,177,076
$ 6,137,194
$26,923,682
The contingent budget represents expenses that are related directly to student instruction and required support activities. The contingent budget excludes
non-contingent equipment and program expansion. It would also include cutbacks as follows: extracurricular clubs, athletics, reduction in department
chairs and team leaders and teaching staff and programs.
Description
Proposition No. 2 Purchase of Pupil Transportation Vehicles
Amount
$544,000
Proposition No. 3 Technology Reserve Use
$200,000
Under the Budget
Proposed for the
2015-16 School Year
Estimated Basic STAR Exemption Savings1
$497.85
The annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2015-2016 by the qualified voters of the Iroquois Central School District, Erie County, New York, will be held
at Iroquois Intermediate school in said district on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at between the hours of 7:30am and 9:00pm, prevailing time in the Iroquois
Intermediate Gymnasium, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting ballot or machine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
The basic school tax relief (STAR) exemption is authorized by section 425 of the Real Property Tax Law.
Page 8
Iroquois Newsletter
Message from the Superintendent
The Iroquois School District continues its proud tradition of being a leader in
WNY; this year is no exception. While New York State did not present State funding in its typical timeline, Iroquois was able to set a budget supporting instructional
integrity while being fiscally responsible to the community.
Education in New
York State is evolving and as the State Education Department redefines their educational goals our goal remains same, provide instruction that allows for student success in their future. The proposed 2015-16 budget will enable us to achieve this
goal by upholding the vision and integrity of Iroquois.
The primary focus of every budget is to develop a balance between meeting
the needs of our students and our responsibility to the District’s community. In
Douglas R. Scofield order to garner input from the public, the Board of Education conducted four
evening budget work sessions. On April 22nd, the Board of Education adopted the
2015-2016 school budget. The public will have an opportunity to vote on the budget on May 19, 2015 in the
Intermediate Gymnasium from 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM.
The goal for this year’s budget was to maintain current class size and programs offered to the students
during the 2014-15 school year. The district was able to achieve their goal while remaining within the tax cap
set by New York State. This accomplishment can be credited to the unyielding stewardship felt by all towards Iroquois and its educational vision.
State mandates continue to drive budget-to-budget increases despite our constant plea to state representatives to enact the promise of mandate reduction. The Board of Education also continues to call for the
return of local control so that we are able to provide the students with what the community expects. In order
to ease the fiscal impact to the community, we continue to use reserves to offset the loss of revenue from the
state and federal governments, and have implemented a number of cost-saving strategies.
I would personally like to thank the Board of Education, the entire staff and our residents for their
continued support of the Iroquois Central School District. At Iroquois we will continue to achieve excellent
results for every dollar invested in our children. I believe the extra effort our students make exemplifies the
high standards and traditions that sets Iroquois apart from other districts.
I continue to welcome input from the Iroquois community and invite the public to attend the budget
hearing on May 12, 2015 at 6:30 PM in the Intermediate School Cafeteria.
Questions & Answers
Q: Did the Iroquois School District exceed the Tax Cap Limit?
A: No. The proposed 2015-2016 budget is at the tax cap as presented by the
Governor of New York State.
Q: Does the new state tax cap guarantee a 2% change in my taxes?
A: The tax cap the Governor refers to has exemptions that he does not express to the public which allows modification
in excess of 2%.
Q: Does the increase in the tax levy actually equal the increase on my school tax bill?
A: No. For example, last year the projected rate increase was 3.14% and the actual increase was 1.91%, in part due to
changes in total assessed values and equalization rates.
Q: Why is the District increasing its use of the Technology reserve to $200,000?
A: In order to be proactive and not impact the tax rate, the District is preparing for the increased use of Wi-Fi devices
that will be required for instruction.
Iroquois Newsletter
Page 9
Questions & Answers cont.
Q: What happens if the May 19 budget vote is not supported?
A: If the budget is not supported on May 19, the Board of Education
will decide, based on the number of votes and the exit poll survey, to
either:
 Reduce athletic expenditures by eliminating modified and low
participating junior varsity and varsity sports along with the reduction of extra-curricular clubs by approximately fifty percent; or,
 Return to the voters with the same proposed budget and corresponding tax levy.
Q: What does it mean if the budget is defeated and we are required
to adopt a contingent budget?
A: A contingent budget would cause elementary class sizes, in a majority of the classes, to increase to approximately 27 students per class. There would be a reduction of elective
courses, including art and music, as well as advanced placement courses. Additionally, it would be necessary to eliminate all modified, junior varsity and varsity sport teams as well as all extra-curricular clubs.
Q: Does the additional use of reserve money put the financial stability of the District at risk in future
years?
A: Currently, with the long-range planning and the fiscal crises that have enveloped our State, the District believes this is a prudent time to use the reserves to offset tax increases passed on to the District from the
State.
Q: In the past there was very little difference in the amount of the proposed and contingent budget.
Is that true this year?
A: No, this year the difference is approximately $820,212 which is over eight times as much of an impact as
previous budgets. A contingent budget will devastate educational opportunities.
Q: Were taxpayer concerns taken into consideration when developing the budget?
A: Yes, taxpayer concerns are always a high priority of the Board of Education. One of the four main considerations in the budget development was exercising care and good judgment for the taxpayers of the community. The Board of Education provided four budget work sessions and reviewed all correspondence
received during the budget deliberation process, as well as the review of the exit poll conducted at the May
2014 vote.
Q: What is the Iroquois District’s plan for the Veteran's Tax Exception?
A: The District will be surveying the public during the budget vote to gain insight on the community’s desired
course of action.
Q: How does the District plan to protect the taxpayer’s investment of the facilities within the 2015-2016
budget?
A: The District will repoint brickwork at various locations, reconstruct school building auxiliary entrances
and deteriorated floor work.
Please contact Douglas Scofield, Superintendent of Schools, at 652-3000 ext. 1001 or
[email protected] if you have questions about the 2015-2016 proposed budget.
Page 10
Iroquois Newsletter
BOE Vice-Present David Lowrey recipient of the
Prestigious ECASB Diana Miller Award
David Lowrey, Iroquois Board Vice-President, Erie 2 CC BOCES board member, and
Vice President of Erie County Association of School Boards (ECASB) has been selected by
the ECASB Awards Review Team as this year's Diana Miller Award winner. This award was
established in 1981 in honor of late Lancaster BOE member Diana R. Miller. The award recognizes those who have made significant contributions toward the betterment of education and
assisted ECASB in achieving its mission on behalf of public education.
SANNYS Assistant Principal of 2015 Award
Middle School Assistant Principal Patrick O’Brien, has been selected as the 2015 WNY
assistant principal of the year by the School Administrators Association of New York State.
Mr. O’Brien will be honored at a banquet on May 14 at the Creekside Banquets Facility.
East Aurora Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year
High School Guidance Counselor Bette Dehr has been selected by the East Aurora
Chamber of Commerce as the 2015 Educator of the Year. Mrs. Dehr was recognized at
the Chamber Choice Awards on April 30, 2015.
High School Music Teacher John Iocco honored with
ECMEA Award for Excellence
High School Music Teacher John Iocco has been selected as the recipient of the 2015
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/Erie County Music Educators Association Award for Excellence in Music Education. Mr. Iocco’s nomination for this highly selected honor was supported by letters from fellow educators, administrators and students. Mr. Iocco was presented
with the award on April 25 prior to the BPO concert at Kleinhans Music Hall.
Mara Schaefer inducted into National Technical Honor Society
Approximately 145 high school seniors representing 21 school districts from across
the region were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). The
ceremony celebrated the academic accomplishments of students from Erie 1 BOCES' three
career and technical centers: Harkness, Ken-Ton and Potter.
On Thursday, March 12, students, faculty, family members and friends gathered in
the auditorium of Maryvale High School for the induction ceremony.
Inducted from Iroquois High School was Mara Schaefer who attends the Early Childhood Education program
at Erie 1 BOCES.
Iroquois Newsletter
Page 11
Veteran’s Property Tax Exemptions Fact Sheet
This past December, Governor Cuomo signed into law legislation that allows school boards to offer school
property tax exemptions to veterans who served during times of war. The Iroquois Board of Education is currently
studying the impact of authorizing this exemption in the Iroquois Central School District, and would appreciate taxpayer
feedback to help with the decision through a survey that will be available at the annual budget vote on May 19, 2015.
In an effort to assist with your decision we are providing the following information:
 The law requires that revenue lost to school districts from veterans who qualify for the new exemption would have
to be made up by increasing the taxes of non-veteran homeowners.
 In this District, the total increase in taxes for non-veteran homeowners would average approximately $50 on a home
with a market value of $200,000.00
 The tax increase for this District would not go into effect until the 2016-17 academic year.
 Non-Combat Veterans, Combat Veterans and Disabled Veterans are eligible for the exemption.
 A School District may choose from a multiple number of exemption amounts. The most common amounts of exemption used in Erie County and in our towns are $18,000/$30,000/$60,000. These levels of exemptions are used in
the following examples.
The chart below depicts the Actual 2014-15 tax rates by town and what rates would have been if the
$18,000/$30,000/$60,000 Veterans Exemption had been adopted:
Town








14-15 Projected Rate With
Veteran’s Exemption
$40.686053
% Change
$ Change
Aurora
14-15 Actual Rate
Per $1,000
$40.080291
1.51%
$0.61
Elma
$341.121649
$346.277682
1.51%
$5.16
Lancaster
$16.030898
$16.273176
1.51%
$0.24
Marilla
$36.435577
$36.986268
1.51%
$0.55
Wales
$36.434468
$36.985118
1.51%
$0.55
Example:
District adopts $18,000/$30,000/$60,000
Town of Elma – 4.7% equalization rate - $846/$1,410/$2,820 (exemption levels)
Assessed value of $9,400 = Full Value of $200,000
Home Owner is a Combat Veteran – 25% or $1,410 whichever is less
$9,400 x 25% = $2,350 – is more than $1,410 therefore;
$9,400 - $1,410 = $7,990 Taxable Assessed Value divided by $1,000 = 7.99
Multiplied by Tax Rate per $1,000 $346.277682 = $2,766.76 Combat Veteran Tax Bill
Home owner is not a Veteran - $9,4000 / $1,000 = 9.4 x Tax Rate $346.277682 = $3,255.01 Non-Veteran Tax Bill
In my town, for a $200,000 market value home, what would a veteran pay for
each category versus a non-veteran for 2014-15 school taxes?
Town
Assessed Value
14-15 Actual
Non-combat
Combat
Disabled
Non-veteran
Aurora
$80,000
$3,206.42
$2,961.94
$2,766.65
$2,278.42
$3,254.88
Elma
$9,400
$3,206.54
$2,960.67
$2,766.76
$2,278.51
$3,255.01
Lancaster
$200,000
$3,206.18
$2,961.72
$2,766.44
$2,278.24
$3,254.64
Marilla
$88,000
$3,206.33
$2,961.86
$2,766.57
$2,278.35
$3,254.79
Wales
$88,000
$3,206.23
$2,961.77
$2,766.49
$2,278.28
$3,254.69
The change would reduce an individual Veteran's tax bill by:
Non Combat: $244
Combat: $440
Disabled: $928
and increase a Non-Veteran’s tax bill by: $48
Page 12
Iroquois Newsletter
IROQUOIS NEWSLETTER
U.S.P.S. 270-040
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Iroquois Central School District
Box 32
Elma, NY 14059-003
Charles F. Specht, President
Daniel Behlmaier
Paul Bracci
Thomas Di Scipio
Michele Hovey
David Lowrey
Sharon Szeglowski
Non-Profit
US Postage paid at
East Aurora, NY 14052
Permit #33
Postal Patron
ECRWSS
Douglas R. Scofield
Superintendent of Schools
Cindy Sadowski
District Clerk
This is your official School District Newsletter
STUDENTS BRING BULLYING AWARENESS
THROUGH THEIR WORKS OF ART
Students from Mrs. Russell’s Studio in Art classes have teamed
up with the High School Diversity Club to compete in the Annual BAND
Against Bullying Program. The students created paintings based on the
style of artist Romero Britto to bring awareness to bullying-related issues. The artwork was part of a performing arts competition held on
April 28th at the University of Buffalo Center for the Arts. The competition will also include music, dance and sign language interpretation.
Pictured at left, art student Amber Terhart works on her painting.
The song “Here Comes the Sun”, depicted in the artwork, will be performed by the Will Jenney Family Band at the competition.
Pictured above are the artworks created by Jessica Wyckoff and Sabrina Diebel