Voters approve 2011-12 Mayfield budget

May 17, 2011

Mayfield Central School District residents voted in support of the district’s 2011-12 school budget Tuesday by a vote of 394 to 220. The approved $16,656,235 budget decreases spending by $333,128, or about two percent, and calls for a tax levy increase of 4.9 percent.

“I’m sure many residents understand that this has been a tough budget season and some very difficult decisions had to be made,” said Superintendent Paul G. Williamsen.

“But our school district has a history of strong support from the community, and the continued support of our residents is evident in the voters' approval of the 2011-12 budget. I'm thankful to everyone who came to the polls today.”

The district’s 2011-12 budget reflects the elimination of 21.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, which will result in 17.5 layoffs. As a result of the staff cuts, classes in grades K-3 will still have 25 or fewer students, and classes in grades 5-6 will have 24 or fewer students. The budget also reflects the elimination of Mayfield’s PM school program. Many of the staff positions were eliminated because of declining enrollment in the district.

In planning the budget, districts leaders faced the loss of $1,022,280 in state aid. The school district is also waiting for a resolution to the revenue problem of its second-largest taxpayer, the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District (HRBRRD), which owes Mayfield $738,589 in school taxes, interest and penalties. Combined, the decrease in state aid and late tax payments amount to $1,760,869. Despite a budget-to-budget spending decrease, the tax levy increased because other revenue sources are declining.

To help balance the budget, the district used $700,000 from its debt reserve and $600,000 in fund balance.

Proposition and Board of Education elections

Residents also voted to fill one seat on the Mayfield Board of Education, which carries a five-year term. Three candidates competed for the seat: Incumbent Robert Suits, Kevin Capobianco, and Frederick Castiglione. Robert Suits was re-elected with 379 votes.

By a vote of 399 to 200, district residents approved a proposition that will allow a high school student to serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Education.