School Boards Association Predicts More Tax Cap Overrides In 2016

The New York State School Boards Association is predicting more tax cap overrides in 2016.

According to a new poll by the group, nearly four in 10 school board members would consider asking voters to exceed their property tax cap next year, if their districts' cap was essentially 0%.

Such a move would require 60% voter approval.

The potential of a zero percent tax cap exists because of the low inflation rate.  According to the poll, two-thirds of school board members expect a 0% tax cap.

"With no growth allowed in their tax levies, we expect more school boards to attempt a tax cap override in order to meet their rising expenses," said Timothy G. Kremer, NYSSBA's executive director. "We'll know more in 2016 when school boards begin the budgeting process in earnest and share various budgeting scenarios with their communities."

Since the tax cap went into effect in 2012, an average of about 30 school districts have sought tax cap overrides each year.