Workshop to focus on budget gap

CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Taxpayers in Clarence are grappling with a tough decision. Clarence Schools are facing a budget gap of more than $6 million. Monday night, there will be a workshop at 7 p.m. at the high school on Main Street.

Residents could face higher taxes and dozens of layoffs. Last month, more than 100 people turned out to hear the Clarence superintendent spell out the plan to fill that deficit, Monday night is round two.

Clarence school officials are suggesting a 9.8 percent property tax increase. That’s well above the property tax cap, so it will need a 60 percent majority of district residents to pass.

Clarence resident Jeff Showalter said, "Ten percent (tax increase) I think that's rough. There's a lot of people where things are tight."

Harris Hill Elementary PTO President Tricia Andrews said, "I totally believe it'll pass. It has support. Clarence taxes are low as it is. No one wants a tax hike but our schools are great and we need to keep them that way and we have to do our part."