Voters to consider $36.2 million budget on May 16th

On Tuesday, May 16th, Jordan-Elbridge Central School District residents will vote on a proposed $36,195,000 budget for the 2023-24 school year. This budget represents a spending increase of 3.48 percent, or $1,216,500 and carries a 2.75 percent tax levy increase.

This is only the third time in eight years that Jordan-Elbridge has presented a budget with a tax increase to voters. The proposed 2.75 percent tax levy increase falls below the district’s legal limit as defined by New York’s tax levy cap legislation. That means a simple majority (50 percent of votes plus one) is needed to approve the budget.

This year’s proposed tax levy increase is necessary due to both a modest increase in state aid, and the continued rising costs of goods and services. Current high inflation not only impacts the groceries stocking the shelves of your local supermarket; but also, the cost of keeping lights on in schools, the supplies students use in art and music classes, and the cost of health insurance for school employees.

“The school district’s goal in developing a budget for the upcoming school year was to find the right balance between what our community can support and the cost of helping every student cultivate the BEST in personal growth and achievement,” explained Superintendent of Schools James Froio. 

The proposed 2.75 percent tax levy increase would provide more than $300,000 of revenue to support student programming, ensuring that the proposed budget would provide for all JE academic and co-curricular activities. The proposed budget also addresses parent concerns over support and supervision for student-athletes, providing funding for additional assistant coaches for modified lacrosse, varsity softball, and varsity baseball.

Student safety continues to be a top priority at JE. Included in the proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year are additional enhancements to the security at Jordan-Elbridge High School. 

The proposed spending plan also includes the purchase of two large and two small school buses. The district will continue its practice of purchasing those buses with cash.

“We are celebrating some exciting news for the community: even though the proposed budget carries a tax levy increase, the district is also growing," said Assistant Superintendent of Schools, R.J. Hartwell. "This provides some relief to property tax impact the following year."

According to the Town of Elbridge supervisor, two eight-unit townhouses are under construction near Bailiwick, Cobblestone Ridge development will continue this year, and plans to build new condominiums on Route 5 near Absolute Audio are in the works. 

In addition to voting on the proposed budget, community members will elect three members to the Board of Education. For more information, head to page two of our budget newsletter, found here.

Voters will also decide on two separate propositions that would provide further funding for both the Elbridge Free Library and the Jordan Bramley Library.

Polls will be open on May 16th, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at JEHS. Voters may access the building via the events entrance. Absentee ballots may be requested through the District Clerk. They must be returned by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16th.