District Budget Vote and Board Election
Thank you, voters!

Message from MCS Administration


*Dress Code Update*

There has been an important update to the student dress code. Access it here.





Budget

 

Moriah Central School Budget

On Tuesday, May 18th, residents of the Moriah Central School District voted on a $13.9 million proposed budget for the 2010-2011 school year. Throughout the entire budget process, staffing, programs, and extracurricular activities were dissected in an attempt to cover the $917,000 shortfall created by decreased state aid, rising retirement contribution rates and contractual obligations.

With that in mind, the district has adopted a school spending plan that balances the needs of our district and takes into consideration the current state of the economy. The current budget correlates to a -.05% spending decrease and most importantly, a 0% increase to the tax levy over last year. For the first time in many years, the District will be applying a portion of its fund balance to help eliminate a tax levy increase. Unanticipated revenue, fuel savings and freezing all spending throughout the school year in anticipation of the state’s fiscal crisis have contributed to the accumulation of these funds.

Also, on May 18th residents voted on a proposition for the purchase of one bus for a total of $96,282.00 and elected three Board of Education members. Please keep in mind that the district is reimbursed 90% by the state for the total cost of each bus over a five year period. By purchasing one bus this year, our district will continue with our goal to be on a ten year replacement cycle for our bus fleet.

Key points all parents and community members should be aware of that played a major role in our final budget numbers are listed below:

  • No traditional summer school for grades 7-12. Offered this summer will be regents review classes • and transitional services for grades 8/9 for English Language Arts and Math. Letters will be sent out to all students who qualify for these services. Please note all exams will take place at an alternate summer school site, with a $25.00 fee for each exam.
  • A modified Summer Enrichment Program will be offered at the Elementary School during the • weeks of July 5th through July 23rd. Summer school letters will go out by the end of the school year for those students being asked to attend. Please note, there will be no transportation for this program.
  • Modified B boys and girls Basketball will not be offered as a league team.
  • Elimination of JV and Varsity football cheering and three extra-curricular advisor salaries.
  • The District will replace the Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds from within on an interim• basis and will not rehire one full-time bus driver/custodian.
  • Also eliminated is one full-time Math and one full-time English teacher at the high school level, one teacher at the elementary level, and three teaching assistants all through retirement or relocating, as well as two positions in Administration, and no raises for remaining Administration.


To conclude, as a district, we have worked extremely hard to devise a fair spending plan for the 2010-11 school year that we hope you will support. There is never an easy way to eliminate staff or activities in education that we feel are vital, but in light of the economy, tough decisions were inevitable. This proposed plan will continue to provide high quality education to all of our students while also achieving a fair budget for our community. We would like to thank the administration, staff and community members who shared ideas throughout this budget process.

Thank you,
William Larrow, Superintendent of Schools