Edinburg Eagle News
Mr. R.W. Teez, Superintendent

March 2012

Edinburg Family and Friends,

    Congratulations to John Bace for an excellent performance at the Capital Region Spelling Bee, held at Proctor’s Theater, on February 7, 2012.  We are very proud of John, as he was one of 116 students that competed and finished in the top 16!

   Everyone has heard of New York’s new “2 percent tax cap” BUT, there are many misunderstandings in this new state legislation.  The tax cap is designed to be calculated on the “Tax Levy”.  The tax levy is the total amount of property tax revenue levied by the district.  There are several expenses that are “excluded” from the base formula.  In Edinburg’s case a purchase of a new bus and the state wide pension systems which have increased by more than 2 percentage points can be excluded.

   To help the community understand New York's Tax Cap, I’ve listed some Questions and
Answers below:

      Q: Does the community still Vote on the school budget?

      A: Yes, you can still vote on our school budget, May 15, 2012.

      Q: Doesn’t the property tax cap base mean that my tax bill can’t increase by more than 2 percent?

      A: No, It is our budget’s tax levy cap, not a 2 percent tax bill cap.  The cap limits the school district levy, not
          individual tax bills on property owners.

      Q: How will I know if the district is proposing a tax levy increase above the 2 percent tax levy limit?

      A:  By law, we would be required to include a statement on the ballot stating that the tax levy is above our
           required limit.  It is then that a super majority (60 percent or more) of the voters is required for budget
          approval.

      Q:  Are there some expenses that would create a tax levy greater than the 2 percent limit without 
           triggering the need for a 60 percent voter override?

      A:  Yes, there are some expenses that are “exempt” from the Tax Levy Limit calculation.  The exemptions
           could include; local capital expenditures, state-mandated employer contribution rates for teachers and
           employee pensions that exceed 2 percentage points, and court orders/judgments resulting from legal
           actions.

         You can find out more information on Understanding New York’s Property Tax Levy Cap as it relates to public schools on our school’s website www.Edinburgcs.org/NYS property-tax-levy-cap.html or by calling us at school.


 

First Grade
Landon Frasier

Second Grade
Kailyn Ginter

Third Grade
William Bell

Intermediate
Anthony Harrington

Fourth Grade
Jade Wadsworth

Fifth Grade
Mya Blevis

Sixth Grade
Alana Blowers         

The third graders have been extremely busy this winter.  Wait, what winter!  No snowshoeing in gym class; no snow sculptures at recess.  Come on!  Our class was a little disappointed with old man winter.

At least Mr. Gribben has kept us busy in the classroom.  We learned a great deal about our solar system in science.  We each did a mini report on a planet, moon, or our sun.  We even made small clay models of each of our topics.  The one thing we learned was that there is still a lot left to learn.

Our class also just finished learning how to write and read cursive handwriting.  It takes a lot of practice and patience.  We are all getting better each day.

During the month of March the school will again be participating in the Math-A-Thon.  This is a fund raising activity sponsored by and for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.  Every year the students at Edinburg work hard on math problems so that they can donate money to this worthy cause.  Thanks to everyone who participated.

Have a great spring!

ECS Third Graders