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Superintendent's Budget Message 2024-25

(sent via email on May 1, 2024)

Dear Mount Pleasant Community,

The Proposed 2024-2025 Budget has been adopted by the Board of Education and on May 21, 2024, the community will be asked to vote on a tax-cap compliant budget in the amount of $79,769,660. This proposed budget represents a 2.81% tax levy increase with an estimated 2.73% tax rate increase. For a home with an average assessment at $8,500 this will translate to an additional $335.92 per year or just under $30 per month. This year marks the 13th consecutive year that Mount Pleasant Central School District has delivered a tax-cap compliant budget to voters. 

We are always grateful for your support and thank our Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee for their advice and counsel throughout the budget development process. 

Our operating budget is designed to tell a story that reflects our values. Once operational, it enables us to put them into action and position our programming for future enhancements. Every line of the budget is created with this driving priority while staying focused on preserving the short-term and long-term financial health of the District. I am pleased to share with you that the budget does all of these.

As we worked to build the 2024-2025 budget, our main areas of focus were the instructional program, safety & security, technology, and facilities. Here are a few key highlights:

  • Literacy program updates in reading, writing, vocabulary, conventions and grammar usage across all schools

  • Implementation of Spanish and Italian instruction in Grades 4-5 and the expansion of American Sign Language to level 3 at WHS

  • Addition of a strings program through a unit of study in Grade 2. All students will receive instruction on the violin as we plan for the future implementation of an orchestral program.

  • Math program updates in Grades K-5, a comprehensive program review and staff development in Grades 6-12 and expansion of enrichment opportunities in mathematics at WMS.

  • Part-time Coordinator of Safety and Security will be increased to full-time, a security guard will be added to the Westlake campus, and interior swipe access with audible alarms are being installed in the elementary schools

  • Targeted replacement of athletic uniforms for boys and girls, purchase of shot clocks for boys and girls lacrosse, weight room upgrades and updated gym banners will be installed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. All this year’s budget materials, voting details and information on Board of Education candidates are posted on our Budget Website. Additionally, a newsletter will be mailed to every resident in the school district prior to the vote.

Please be sure to make a plan to vote on May 21, 2024 at the Westlake High School gymnasium.  Polls will be open from 7a.m.-9 p.m. 

 

With best regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools