April, 2010

Dear District Residents:

For the past several weeks the Board of Education and District administration have worked hard on your behalf to build the 2010-2011 School Budget. For the third consecutive year, the proposed budget will result in no increase in real property (local) taxes. This is despite a proposed state aid reduction of two percent. To accomplish this, the Board of Education has proposed reductions in some areas, including staffing. Most of the reductions in staff are in areas where we have experienced a small decline in enrollment or student course requests. Our students were our main focus when considering where to make reductions. We have kept student programs in place and will continue to meet their needs. Holley School District has made progress in student performance over the past year and will continue working to improve in the coming year.

In addition to voting on the 2010-2011 School Budget on May 18, district residents are also being asked to vote on a proposed Phase 2 Capital Project. The scope of this project includes renovating the High School side of the Middle School/High School building. As you recall, the Middle School side was renovated as part of the Phase 1 Project in 2009. The Phase 2 Project also includes some additional improvements at the Elementary School, a new bus garage, many safety upgrades, and work to our athletic fields. If approved, this proposal will have NO local tax impact. By moving forward with this project now, state aid will cover over 92 percent of the cost and reserves will cover the local share.

Please read the enclosed materials carefully. If you have any questions, feel free to contact any Board of Education member, Superintendent Robert D’Angelo or Assistant Superintendent for Business Gene Mahaney. Also, all budget and capital project information, including two videos, will be available at www.holleycsd.org, along with features that enable you to submit your questions online. Finally, please try to attend our Phase 2 Capital Project Information Meeting on Monday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the High School auditorium and/or the Annual School Budget Hearing on Tuesday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Elementary School cafeteria.

Sincerely,

The Holley Board of Education

John Heise, President

Brenda Swanger, Vice President

Elaine Berg

Norman Knight

Dorothy Morgan

Charles M. Patton

Robin Silvis

Kellie Spychalski

John C. Welch