The current financial crisis facing our community, our nation and our world has impacted public education like never before.  That being said, it is important to recognize that quality public schools are more critical than ever to the long-term health of our community and to the future success of our chldren.

The 2009-2010 BCSD budget balances the community's need for quality publluc education with the reality that many of our taxpayers are facing unprecedented financial struggles and concerns about their future.  With this in mind, we have been able to develop a spending plan that limits the tax levy increase to 1.55%, which is the lowest increase in six years.

While we continue to face rising costs in areas beyond our control, we are nevertheless able to limit our overall spending increase to 2.87%.  We are able to reduce personnel costs by $1,145,674, largely through attrition.

Our Contract for Excellence commitment with New York State will continue in 2009-2010, allowing us to maintain or expand such programs as the Academic Interention Services, Challenge Enrichment, the Ninth Grade Bridges program and the School of Sophomore Studies.

Approximately $3.9 million in new funding, made available through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, will also help offset costs, though a significant portion of these funds are restricted in how they can be used.

The district administrative team has worked diligently with the Board of Education to craft a budget that stays on course with our strategic goals and maintains the quality programs and services our students deserve.  With your continued support, the Binghamton City School District will continue to prepare our students to live and thrive in an increasingly competitive world.

2009-2010 School Budget Summary
approved by voters 5/19/09  

Tax Rates Per $1,000 of Assessed Value

The STAR exemption is available on owner-occupied, primary residences that are 1, 2 or 3-family homes, including farm dwellings, condominiums, cooperative apartments and mobile homes.  There are two exemption types.  The Basic STAR and the Enhanced STAR. 

The Basic STAR exemption is available to all resident homeowners.  Eligible taxpayers must submit an application to their local assessor in order to receive a STAR exemption.  To receive the Enhanced exemption, applicants must be 65 or older and have incomes that do not exceed $73,000. 

The application period for both STAR exemptions is Nov. 1, 2008 through March 1, 2009.  Because of the income requirement, recipients of the Enhanced STAR exemption will have to apply each year.  People eligible for the Basic STAR exemption will only have to apply once. 

MIDDLE CLASS STAR REBATE PROGRAM

Those receiving Basic and Enhanced STAR on the 2007 assessment roll will be eligible for rebates.  Unlike last year, those who are not already receiving Basic and Enhanced STAR will not be able to submit applications for the rebate.  While applications may be filed with the Office of Real Property Services until Nove,ber 30, if an applicant did not receive the STAR exemption on the 2007 roll, her or she will not be eligible for the rebate this year.

Basic STAR:
Basic STAR recipients who applied for the 2007 rebate do not have to reapply as long as the property information remains the same.  Rebate checks will be automatically issued by the end of October.  The amount will be about the same as last year.  If homeowners didn't apply for 2007, or if property information changed during the year, you must apply by December 31, 2008.  Property owners with income of more than $250,000 are not eligible for a rebate check, even with a basic STAR exemption. 

Enhanced STAR:
Enhanced STAR recipients, generally seniors, will be issued a rebate check automatically by the end of October,  Like with Basic STAR recipients, if property information remained the same, Enhanced STAR recipients do not have to apply.  Enhanced rebate amounts will be about 40% higher than last year.

Individuals will be able to determine the amount of your 2008 Middle Class STAR rebate and the date it will be mailed by visiting the ORPS website at:  http://www.orps.state.ny.us/

The Board of Education grants tax relief to senior  citizens living on limited incomes and meeting other requirements of eligibility.  Individuals aged 65 years or older with an annual total income of less than $31,000 will be assessed on a sliding scale from 10% to 50% of the normal tax levy.  Residents who believe they are eligible should contact:

Binghamton:
Dept. of Assessment & Taxation
City Hall, 2nd floor 
Governmental Plaza  
Binghamton, NY 13901 
772-7002

Sunrise Terrace:
Assessor's Office
531 Old Front St.
Binghamton, NY 13905
723-5954