A new survey indicates most school districts are proposing tax levies that meet or fall under the property tax cap limit enacted last May.
But to do so, an overwhelming number of districts are reducing programs and staffing in the next school year, according to Michael Borges, executive director of New York State Association of School Business Officials.
His group and the State School Boards Association surveyed districts statewide and found over 400 districts will eliminate over 4,200 positions.
Borges says nearly all districts are dipping into their unappropriated fund balances to meet their needs to provide a sound, basic education.
Borges says while property tax cap legislation was passed, it wasn't accompanied by mandate relief.
He says with a tax cap in place, and state aid tied to personal income growth, there will be a growing discrepancy between which programs schools can provide and the resources available to pay for them.
