BERLIN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 2012-2013 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
The Berlin Central School District has begun the process of registering Kindergarten students for the 2012-2013 school
year. (more..)

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Dear BCSD Community,

As we move ahead with improving the academic achievement of students in Berlin’s schools, we are faced with serious challenges and many difficult questions.

• How do we implement the teaching and learning of 21 st century knowledge and skills in these economic times?
• How do we prepare our students with new curriculum and revised instructional programs that will allow all students to enter college or the work force?
• How do we decrease dropout rates and at the same time challenge students to be successful in increasingly rigorous and relevant courses?
• How do we work together to bring changes to our classrooms in a time when there is a maximum 2% increase in the tax levy?

These questions will need to be answered over the next several years and the decisions the school community makes will likely have an impact on future budgets. The Berlin Central School District’s tax levy has not seen an increase in the previous three years. Now, the new property tax cap law does not allow more than a 2% increase in the 2012-2013 school tax levy.

Over the next several months, District staff and Board of Education members will begin the budget process for the 2012-2013 school year. As this budget is prepared I would like to offer my thoughts on where we need to go in order to bring our district forward.

During the budget cycle we will be updating our website with additional information related to the challenging questions mentioned previously. This will give you an idea on where we are headed and provide a glimpse into the budgetary decisions we face in these difficult economic times.

If you have any questions or would like someone from the district to speak to a group, please contact the District Office at 658-2690.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stephen Young
Superintendent of Schools

Understanding New York's Property Tax LEVY Cap Law

Did you know that New York's Property Tax Cap Law does not cap a homeowner's tax bill to a 2% increase? Instead the law that New York State passed applies to the tax levy or the total money that the district collects in property taxes - not a homeowner's tax bill.

In order to help our community understand how the Tax Cap Law works, the district is sharing a publication developed by Questar III and Capital Region BOCES which is available BY CLICKING HERE.