Athens superintendent touts school district’s referendum
Community residents are being asked to support the School District of Athens. The district is seeking approval from voters to authorize a four-year, non-recurring operational referendum that would allow the District to exceed its state-set revenue limits by $1.67 million in 2023 24 and $1.2 million for each of the next three years. The referendum question is on the Tuesday, April 4 spring election ballot. If the referendum passes, the funds will allow the district to meet its day-to-day expenses including keeping quality staff, sustaining educational opportunities, providing essential technology and rebuilding financial viability.
The school tax impact for an approved referendum is estimated to increase $601 per each $100,000 of property value for the first year. The amount of money requested decreases in the second, third, and fourth years, therefore, the school tax is projected to decline as well.
An operational referendum in November of 2022 failed and the district is forced to make significant reductions in operating expenses which include but are not limited to a reduction in staffing positions, implementing a wage freeze, deferring maintenance projects and eliminating the option to host summer school this year.
Without funds from an operating referendum, the district will be forced to consider consolidation with a neighboring district or closing.
“The future of our local school district is at stake,” said superintendent Andrea Sheridan. “Our schools are the heart of our community and we are faced with a critical decision, not only as a school district, but also as a community. I encourage every voter to gather the information needed to make an informed choice when you vote on April 4.”
The district is hosting a series of community meetings, each of them at 6 p.m., about the referendum this Monday, March 13, at Maple Grove Charter School in Hamburg; on Thursday, March 16, at Athens Elementary School and on Wednesday, March 29, at the Town of Hamburg hall.
