BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

CANTON — Canton Central School Superintendent Ron Burke presented a $34,805,724 budget for 2022-23 to the community at the most recent school board meeting.

Voters will be asked to cast ballots on the 2022-23 school budget, the bonding of three new buses, four seats on the school board, and Canton Free Library proposition.

The vote is Tuesday, May 17, from noon to 8 p.m. with absentee ballots due to the district clerk by 4 p.m. the same day.

If approved by voters, the proposed 2022-23 budget of $34,805,724 would result in a $309,762 jump in the tax levy bringing the total amount to be raised taxes to $10,758,792. The budget would raise taxes by 2.96%.

Total spending is up 5.13%, or nearly $1.7 million from last year's $33,107,411, according to Burke.

Burke, who made a presentation to the community Thursday night, said the district anticipates more than a $503,000 combined increase in BOCES special education services, BOCES Career and Technical Education, commodities such as natural gas, electric and transportation, as well as athletic supplies.

Burke said the school plans to restore a foreign language teaching position that was cut a decade ago.

Canton Central also anticipates hiring a full-time senior account clerk. Bailey said this position will assume responsibility for special education cost reporting and billing of Medicaid for services provided. The position will also support the business office in personnel documentation.

The district is seeking voter approval for the purchase of three buses at a cost not to exceed $435,000.

Transportation costs are eligible for approximately 90% reimbursement through transportation aid, Burke said.

Canton school has three open seats on the board, each for a three-year term. There is also one open seat for a 1-year term to replace a member that is leaving early. The candidates with the most votes will get the longer terms. Candidates announced thus far include Robert Larrabee, Jessica Sierk and Denise Sero.

If the budget is rejected by voters, the Board has two options. They can present a revised budget to voters, or adopt a contingency budget.

Under a contingency budget, the tax Levy remains the same as the prior year and equipment may not be purchased. The district would need to cut approximately $120,000 in expenses to flatten the tax levy. At the Board’s discretion, athletics, extracurricular activities and field trips may still be funded Finally, contractual salary increases would remain in effect.