From the Hendrick Hudson school district… 

The Hendrick Hudson School District estimated tax increases in the proposed 2008-09 school budget will be lower than expected thanks to additional New York State aid, it was announced last week.

The Hen Hud Board of Education in its regular meeting on April 29 voted to use an expected additional $350,000 of state aid toward reducing the increase in the tax levy, which results in lower estimated tax rate increases. The estimated tax rate increase to the Town of Cortlandt is 4.8%, more than one percent lower than the 5.81% originally approved by the Board. The estimated tax rate increase to the City of Peekskill is 15.97%, also more than a percentage point lower than the 17.1% originally approved by the Board.

A public hearing on the budget has been scheduled for May 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hendrick Hudson High School, 2166 Albany Post Road, Montrose. The budget vote is scheduled for May 20, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Frank G. Lindsey Elementary School, 57 Trolley Road, Montrose.

The rate increase in each town is determined by the New York State Tax Equalization rate, a formula used by the state to determine and balance the open market value of houses in each community.

In Cortlandt, the average tax bill before the state STAR (School Tax Relief) deduction will be approximately $6,872, which is an annual increase of $315.  In Peekskill the average tax bill before the STAR deduction will be approximately $4,048, which is an annual increase of $557.

The STAR deduction will reduce the tax increases even more. The estimated basic STAR saving for a Cortlandt homeowner is $1,684. The estimated enhanced benefit for qualified seniors is $3,170. The estimated basic STAR saving for the City of Peekskill homeowner is $1,802. The estimated enhanced benefit for qualified seniors is $3,426.

The proposed $65.8 million budget is a 3.36 % ($2.13 million) increase from the budget for the current school year and below the increase of a contingent budget.  A contingent budget is defined by New York State law as the maximum increase in a school budget that supports expenditures necessary to operate and maintain schools. The low increase was the result of savings and efficiencies implemented by the district. The most significant increases in the budget are in the areas of special education and employee benefits.