Albany residents approved the school
district's 2008-09 budget proposal May 20,
supporting a comprehensive educational plan that
will continue and expand academic, social, health
and extracurricular activities for all of the
district's students.
Voters approved the $206.7 million
budget by a 320-vote margin, 2,331-2,011 (54
percent-46 percent). It is the
first time since 2005 that the district's budget has
passed on the first vote; the district is operating
on a contingency budget this year after the budget
was voted down in 2007.
"We are so appreciative of the
support our voters have given us," said
Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D. "This is a great
benefit for all of our students and families, and we
are looking forward to beginning our work
immediately to plan for an outstanding school year
next year."
Unanimously approved by the Board
of Education on April 1 -- the earliest date the board has approved a
budget proposal -- the
budget includes a 2.49 percent tax
levy increase and a 9.52 percent increase in overall spending. For
details about the 2008-09 budget, download the district's full
budget presentation in .pdf
format.
The budget represents an estimated
increase of $39 per $100,000 of assessed value for city residents, $23
for those with Basic STAR savings and $9 for seniors with the Enhanced
STAR.
“The budget
reflects the board's attempt to recognize the realities of fiscal
prudence, while not compromising on our top priority -- the education of
all of the district's students," said board President William Barnette.
“The board views the
budget not merely as a cost, but as an investment
that supports a comprehensive blend of the high-quality educational,
social and emotional services that our students need and deserve as they
prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow.”
The budget includes
expanded prekindergarten programs, enhanced acceleration opportunities
for middle school students and strong programming for students at every
level, including those in need of extra academic and emotional support.
“The unanimous support of
the Board of Education for this proposal is an indicator of our
efforts to match our fiscal responsibility to the community with our
primary mission as a school district – to educate and nurture all
students to be responsible citizens, critical thinkers and life-long
learners,” Dr. Joseph said.
