7.3% increase in spending for New Hartford Central School...

Last year, the 2008/2009 budget was $43 million, representing a 4.3 percent increase in spending over the 2007/2008 budget...the tax increase was 2.9% according to an April 1, 2008, article in the Observer Dispatch.

Now according to an article in today's Observer Dispatch the 2009/2010 proposed budget (spending) increase is 7.3%. Imagine what the actual tax increase will be this time!

Today's Observer Dispatch article said:

Among the areas where spending went up: Salaries rose $635,526 to about $21 million. The district’s capital project also accounted for a $2 million increase in spending, although some of those funds will be reimbursed by the state.

We thought we would give you some "food for thought". Here is a copy of Superintendent Robert Nole's current contract.

And to think that the school board was willing to vote in favor of the PILOT program for the New Hartford Business Park thus allowing for no school tax revenues from The Hartford being used to offset the school budget for the next 15 years.

We are still trying to get a copy of the school budget, but they seem to be hesitant to let that information out to the public. Superintendent Robert Nole hasn't even bothered to answer our FOIL request. We wonder why...