Tuesday evening prior to its regular meeting, the Lancaster Central School District (LCSD) presented an overview of its 2024 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) and held a public hearing immediately after.

After carefully reviewing the detailed newsletter received from the district and viewing the video of last night’s school board project presentation and public comments, I learned a lot, still have questions, and would advise every taxpayer to spend some time learning the nuances of the two project proposals regarding scope, necessity, and costs to the property owner.

While 66% of Americans voice living paycheck-to-paycheck, a new Marist poll found that more than half of New Yorkers say they think their economy is getting worse, prompting many to consider leaving the state. An overwhelming majority of respondents, 81 percent, said the cost of living in the state is not very affordable. While 61 percent of respondents said they plan to stay in the state over the next five years, 37 percent of respondents said they will be moving out of New York within the same time period, including many who cited economic reasons. It behooves Lancaster taxpayers to carefully consider what the two project propositions entail, their cost, and future tax implications.

The district made it known upfront that it applied every means to reduce a 2024-25 budget from a 91-cent increase per thousand dollars of property tax assessment to a ‘no tax levy increase.’

CIP Proposition #3 is cost-estimated at $143,700,000. The district receives 74,4% of a project’s aidable cost from the state and $16,000,000 of school reserves will be used to offset the project’s cost. The local tax share impact will not start until 2031 and continues for an 11-year period. The tax rate increase is predicted to be $0.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Public comments / questions focused on projected school enrollment, added classrooms, classroom, aid restrictions, need vs wants at a time when taxpayers are hurting.

CIP Proposition #4 is cost-estimated at $34,300,000 and will not happen if Proposition #4 fails. The local tax impact would not start until 2029 and continue for a 15-year period. The tax rate average increase is predicted to be $0.38 per thousand assessed value.

Public comments / questions focused on expense of sports complex, turf field cost and disadvantages, overreach.

Every organization worth its salt puts together 5-year project plans. Whether this plan is fiscally responsible, incorporates need over want, is considered affordable at this time of economic instability, requires an individual becomes informed and casts a responsible vote that is not only in the best interest of our children, but that of the taxpayer as well – a taxpayer too often stretched too far.

Lastly, we hear so many reasons from the district why it is imperative Proposition #3 passes, yet crickets about a contingency plan. What if…

April 16, 2024, LCSD meeting video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-A2v1M0UPs