School spending in Chautauqua County is continuing its inexorable climb thanks to the generosity of New York state’s government.

The total cost of school budgets that will be up for public approval Tuesday has increased from $454,560,323 in 2020-21 to $467,890,575 in 2021-22, an increase of $13,330,252 (2.93%). Tax levies proposed by school districts are set to increase from $135,745,692 to $137,036,582, an increase of $1,2290,890 (.95%) across the 19 districts in the OBSERVER’s readership area.

Enrollment is continuing to decrease across the area from 19,248 during the 2021-22 school year to a projected 19,033 in 2021-22, according to data provided by school districts to the state Education Department.

“Budgeted per-pupil expenditures are highest on Long Island ($32,969) and in the Mid-Hudson region (31,381); and lowest in Western New York ($24,078) and the Mohawk Valley ($24,353). Enrollment is projected to decline in all regions, ranging from a .6 percent reduction in the Mohawk Valley to a 2 percent drop in the North Country,” stated a report by the Empire Center for Public Policy earlier this week.

¯ Brocton — a $17,837,480 budget that increases spending $881,043 (5.2%) and the tax levy by $231,760 to $5,061,707 (.57% increase). District officials said the majority of the increase comes from debt service for the recently completed first phase of its capital project, with phase 2 expected to be completed this fall. The district is also looking to add a school resource officer this year. There are also three candidates running for two seats on the school board: Nicole Klinger, Michael Rigorgiato and Rosanne Chesbro.

¯ Cassadaga Valley — a $24,713,411 budget that increases spending by $769,514 to $5,456,713. The budget includes a $100,000 capital outlay project, increases spending on technology for students. Diane Ellsworth and Marcus Clark are running for two seats on the school board, and voters will also vote on a $377,526 proposition to purchase a 60-passenger school bus that will be financed, a 42-passenger school bus with a wheelchair lift to be purchased with reserve funds, a 24-passenger school bus with a wheelchair lift to be paid for with reserve funds and a 5- to 7-passenger transportation vehicle to be purchased with reserve funds.

¯ Chautauqua Lake — a $23,600,585 budget that increases spending $398,238 with a tax levy of $12,493,744, an increase of $177,356 (1.44%).

¯ Dunkirk — the proposed $51,413,792 budget increases spending $1,655,057 (3.33%) while increasing taxes $199,333 (2%) to $10,165,975.

¯ Forestville — a proposed budget increases spending 1.21% to $13,028,780 with a 1.29% tax levy increase to $4,089,237. There is also a $123,441.11 proposition to purchase two buses on the ballot and two positions on the school board.

¯ Fredonia — a proposed $31,295,067 budget increase spending by 2.05%, while the proposed tax levy of $16,219,949 is unchanged. The Wheelock Elementary School will implement a program called Parents as Teachers, which aims to increase school readiness and parent engagement. An additional full-time elementary teachers will help the district bring all students back to in-person instruction while maintaining social distancing and decreasing fourth grade class sizes. A half-time physical education teacher was added as well. The district is also adding an additional middle school counselor.

¯ Gowanda — the $34,098,646 budget cuts spending by .58% while increasing property taxes 1.2% to $5,157,994. Additional spending is being directed into special education, career and technical education and extended day and summer programs. Voters also have four candidates for three positions on the school board: Max Graham, Jill Smith, Shauna McMahon and Dollene Christopher. There are two propositions on the ballot, one to purchase a 30-passenger school bus and two 66-passenger school buses for $301,642.50 to be paid from the Vehicle Purchase Reserve Fund established in 2009 and a proposition to establish a $5 million Transportation Reserve Fund to pay for future school vehicles.

¯ Pine Valley — spending is projected to increase $674,406 to $16,437,677, though the proposed tax levy increases only $33,766 to $3,410,344. Additions to the budget include salary and benefits for 3- and 4-year-old universal pre-kindergarten teachers, a special education teacher, furniture and curriculum for the universal pre-kindergarten program, two school bus purchases, a transfer to the school lunch program to offset community eligibility participation and provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, start an eSports team, unified sports programs. Administrative spending decreases by 7% while the budget for student programs increases 7.28%. Rose Kruszka and Darlene Silliman are running for the school board.

¯ Ripley — district officials propose a $279,000 increase in spending to $9,746,366 while not increasing the district’s $1,862,971 tax levy. District officials said $200,000 of the spending increase is part of the district’s construction project and will be paid from the capital reserve.

¯ Silver Creek — the proposed budget increases spending by $205,352 to $25,928,433 while cutting taxes $209,340 to $6,223,262. The budget includes a $100,000 capital outlay to provide lighting along Webster Street to accompany a new walkway installed by the village of Silver Creek and LED lighting within the building. Voters will also vote on a proposition to purchase two large buses and one small bus, with the purchase to be paid from the Vehicle Reserve Fund. Incumbent Martha Howard is running for the lone open school board seat.

¯ Westfield — a proposed $16,956,770 budget increases spending by $428,431 while increasing the property tax levy by $69,676 to $6,175,602. The budget allows for equipment upgrades and new classroom technology, doesn’t cut any programs, student services or extracurricular activities. There are also four candidates running for the school board: Celia Molitor, Braiden McElhaney, incumbent Deanne Manzella and incumbent Phyllia Hagen.