Somers Schools Eye Cap-Compliant Tax Hike

Propelled by sharp hikes in pension costs and health insurance premiums, Somers school taxes would rise next year but remain tax-cap-compliant under a proposed $83 million-plus budget.

Still a fluid document, with exact numbers subject to change, the administration-drawn spending plan will be up for adoption by the elected school board.

After a May 14 public hearing, it will go to a vote of district residents a week later. As presented at a school board meeting last month, the superintendent’s budget totaled $83,545,682, with a tax rate of $151.95 for each $1,000 of assessed value, a jump of 3.61 percent over this year’s $146.66.

School Superintendent Raymond Blanch, in a prepared statement, called it "challenging given the current economic situation" to fashion his recommended budget. That budget increases district spending by a little more than 3-percent over the current budget of $81,334,171, a rise shaped largely by mandated jumps in health insurance premiums and contributions to the state Teacher Retirement System (TRS).

"TRS is a big chunk for us this year," said Matthew Carr, manager of student services and human resources.

While non-teacher retirement contributions posted an even larger percentage jump, 20.9 percent, they amounted only to $76,318 in greater spending. Health insurance premiums—like pension contributions, a cost imposed from outside the district—climbed almost a half-million dollars to $9,039,151. But teacher-pension costs, with a jump of 16.25 percent, to $5,721,065, remain the major factor in year-over-year budget increases.

Carr calls them "certainly the biggest hurdle that we’ve had since the tax cap [came into being]." Enacted by the state Legislature in 2011, the cap clamps a strict limit, nominally 2 percent, on increases in local property tax levies—not tax rates—from year to year. Other factors, such as cap exceptions and changes in the assessed value base among them, can vary the exact figure (Somers’ cap this year, for example, is 3.10 percent).

"To support the development of 21st century skills in our students, we will incorporate personal learning devices into our classrooms,” Blanch said. “We will also add a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program, Project Lead the Way, at the high school, where students will have the opportunity to earn college credits from the Rochester Institute of Technology."

With fully three-quarters of the proposed spending given over to personnel costs, staffing cuts were high on the budget-cutters’ list of possible economies. Reflecting enrollment trends, about nine teaching positions were cut at the elementary and middle school levels while the high school added almost six teachers and other specialists, for a net loss of three jobs.

"While we need to reduce staff, the impact on programs for our students will be minimal," Blanch said.

The school board is expected to adopt the budget Tuesday, April 23 and set a public hearing for May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Middle School library.

Voters will go to the polls May 21, casting their ballots from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the middle school gymnasium.

In addition to voting on the budget, residents will choose candidates to fill three school board seats now held by Joanne Iannacchino, Ifay Chang and Donna Rosenblum.