RIPLEY — The Ripley Central School Board held a brief public hearing on May 5 to outline voting procedures for the May 18 election, to present the tentative budget for the 2021-22 school year and to answer questions from the public.

Because the public hearing is traditionally not well-attended, Superintendent Bill Caldwell and school board members have scheduled a budget breakfast on Saturday, May 15, from 8 to 10 a.m. A continental breakfast will be provided and people will have the opportunity to “hear how your tax dollars are used to educate our children,” Caldwell said. “The meeting will be held at Meeder’s Restaurant Banquet Room.”

Topics to be covered include the proposed 2021-22 budget, the district’s capital reserve and the fact that there will be no tax increase. There will be a question-and-answer session at the conclusion of the presentation.

At their meeting April 21, members approved a proposed 2021-22 budget of $9,746,366 with no increase in the tax levy.

The budget includes an increase of $279,000 in expenditures over the current budget. However, Caldwell said $200,000 of that is part of the district’s construction project and will come from the capital reserve.

“So, in reality, the budget is going up $79,000,” he said.

The tax levy totals $1,862,971, which is a $4 change from last year.

“So, basically the levy will stay the same,” Caldwell said. “We’re looking to present a 0% tax increase.”

Caldwell and school board members encourage residents to attend the upcoming budget breakfast in order to gain a better understanding of the proposed budget.

Also on May 5, at their regular meeting, school board members approved the appointment of non-instructional summer 2021 positions, as well as the appointment of Eagle U. positions.

The board also discussed completing the school year and professional development over the summer.

The school board officially announced May 18 as the date for the annual school district vote/election of board members. Voting will be held in the large gym from 2 to 8 p.m.

Board president Paul McCutcheon also announced that there will be a joint meeting of the Ripley Central School Board of Education and the Chautauqua Lake Central School Board of Education on Wednesday, May 26, at CLCS.