BY MATT LINDSEYNorth Country This Week

NORWOOD — Norwood-Norfolk Central School’s $29.2 million 2024-25 budget increases spending by 1.3% but includes no increase to the tax levy for the sixth consecutive year.

The Norwood-Norfolk School District Board of Education adopted a proposed budget of $29,224,205.

“Our tax per assessed $1,000 is $19.06 for 23-24 and is at a 22-year low,” James Cruikshank, NNCS Superintendent said.  

He said there is no change in the tax levy, which is $6,534,756 for next year.

The budget increase is $375,263, or 1.3%.

Cruikshank said the school plans to add a mechanic, who will also have some driving duties, as well as a part-time nurse.

The public is welcome to attend a district budget hearing May 7 at 6 p.m. in the District Conference Room. The budget will be presented a second time on May 14 at 6 p.m. for those who cannot attend on May 7.

“Our Board of Education has been busy constructing the budget for next school year; work which began back in January,” Cruikshank said. “Next year’s budget will increase by 1.3%, but we’re not increasing taxes. A true feat to achieve without reductions when inflation has been so high.”

NNCS has levied the same amount from local taxpayers since the 2018-19 school year.  This will be the sixth consecutive year with a 0% tax increase. 

“We’re proud that our ‘actual tax rate per assessed thousand’ is at a twenty-two-year low, the super said.

Voting is planned on May 21 from 12:30 – 8:30 p.m. Voters will have three propositions before them.

Voters will be asked to approve a budget in the amount of $29,113,112 and budgetary provision for other purposes in the amount of $111,093 for a total of $29,224,205.

Cruikshank said the provision for other purposes is so the district can take the aid from last year’s bus purchases and place that directly into its bus reserve.

“Meaning, the aid we receive on bus purchases goes directly back into buying future buses.  Ultimately, this will ease any future burden on taxpayers,” he said.

Proposition 2 would authorize a purchase of three student transportation vehicles not to exceed $417,469.

“We are only purchasing gasoline, combustion engines at this time.  We have a current life cycle of seven years for all our buses,” he said. “The district receives 90% state aid on transportation & bus purchases, which we reinvest in our bus reserves for future bus purchases.

He said a seven-year life cycle maximizes trade-in values, reduces maintenance costs, remains up-to-date with emissions and technology and maximizes student safety.

Proposition 3 lists the three incumbents running for our Board of Education: They include Robert Barlow, James Dillon, Stephen Markum. 

The public is entitled to write-in a candidate, if they choose to.