ALBANY – Voters across New York will cast ballots on their local school budgets next Tuesday (May 17) and the state Association of School Business Officials has released a report card outlining school spending and tax trends.
Overall spending is up 2.2. percent, but most tax levy increases, which, absent a two-thirds override are tied to inflation, are up only about .7 percent. An increase in state aid makes up much of that difference.
The report notes that student population is dropping statewide, although costs are being driven by increases in certain locations and among high-needs students. Others have also pointed to pay increases and the number of administrators as one reason costs go up even if there are fewer students.
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