The Pioneer Board of Education unanimously approved a 2022-23 general fund budget of $62,408,491 at its April 19 regular meeting.
The budget represents a spending increase of 5.03 percent over the current plan.
Assistant Superintendent Nick Silvaroli said the tax levy increase of 2.98 percent (to $13,896,000) is under the state's property tax cap of 3.23 percent.
Voters will weigh in on the budget during polling on May 17 at the high school. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, at 5:30 p.m., just prior to that evening's regular board meeting.
Staff additions in the proposed budget include:
- 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Special Education Teachers
- 1.0 FTE Literacy Specialist
- 1.0 FTE Registered Nurse
Also, the budget proposal exchanges two Home-School Liaison positions for two elementary Guidance Counselors. It exchanges a 0.6 FTE BOCES Computer Tech for a 1.0 FTE Pioneer Computer Technician.
Other budget highlights:
- includes an HVAC maintenance service agreement through BOCES
- adds $10,000 for building supplies across all four buildings
- increases technology equipment replacement budget by $15,000
- continues complimentary breakfast service at all buildings
- decreases reliance on the district fund balance