Royalton-Hartland school tax levy rising by 2%

Thomas Tedesco, Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, N.Y.
·1 min read

May 6—MIDDLEPORT — Royalton-Hartland Central School District's 2024-25 budget shows a 2% increase in the property tax levy.

The budget, which was adopted by the school board on April 10, lists a tax levy of $11.32 million, an increase of approximately $221,980 from the 2023-24 tax levy.

The proposed spending plan comes in at a total of $32.31 million, which is $1.9 million or 6.25% more than this year's spending plan.

The district is estimating it will receive $18.22 million in state aid. That's about $281,000 or 1.6% more aid than Roy-Hart received in 2023-24.

School district treasurer Jessica Landers attributed the main drivers to spending and tax levy increases to inflationary factors, increase in state retirement rates, increase in special needs students, current negotiations, the addition of a full-day Pre-K program, contractual obligations, and an increase in transportation costs.

"There is a struggle, as with all districts currently, with the ending of the ARPA funds. So we are working to mitigate the loss of these funds without devastating staffing changes or student programming changes," Landers said.

With the addition of a full-day Pre-K program, the district will be hiring two full-time equivalent teachers and two full-time equivalent aids. The district also plans to hire two full-time equivalent social workers.

The annual public hearing on the adopted budget is scheduled for Wednesday at the high school, 54 State St. The public vote on the budget will take place on May 21.