Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Ichabod Crane Board of Education April 12, adopted its proposed $46.7 million 2022-23 school budget. District voters will have their say on the spending plan May 17. The proposal, as presented by district business manager Michael Brennan prior to the vote, includes an increase in appropriations of $2.8 million, or 6.4 percent, over the current budget. Brennan said the largest increase is in the debt service category, which grew by $1.4 million, but that will be offset by state aid. Brennan said the proposal calls for a 2.3 percent tax levy increase, well below the state-mandated cap of 3.45 percent. He said, “What we’re proposing to balance this budget this year is a 2.3 percent increase in the levy which would provide just under $26 million of revenue.” Brennan was careful to point out that a tax levy increase does not necessarily translate into a higher property tax bill for residents. He said, “The tax levy is just one of three factors that determines a final tax rate that is set in August. That includes the levy which we are setting, town property assessments and the state’s equalization rates.” During the 2022-23 school year the district will receive $18.7 million in state aid, an increase of $2.5 million over the previous year. In addition to voting on the budget, district residents will decide two propositions: a request for authorization to purchase four school buses for just under $444,000; and a second asking if the district should continue to have a non-voting student member of the board of education. The annual school board election and budget vote will be held 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 17 in the high school gym. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.