GOWANDA — The Gowanda Central School Boars recently approved the district’s budget proposal for the 2022-23 school year.

In January, the school district released a survey asking residents what they would want to see in the budget, and with those responses in mind, Gowanda school administrator Barb Smith feels confident that the budget is matching those priorities.

“I think when you look at the priorities of those who participated in the questionnaire, the budget is matching those priorities,” she said. “We certainly haven’t taken away any services and with the COVID money we’ve been able to add support for students.”

Smith said there is a 1.85% increase in the total property tax, but tax bills are impacted by so much beyond the school district’s control. Because there are six different municipalities that fall within the Gowanda School District, the decisions they make on increasing and decreasing the property tax rate can be tricky.

“When people think about what will be on their actual tax bill, it’s affected by so many things that we really have nothing to do with,” said Smith. “You have a township that assesses the homes in their town and the equalization rate that is set by New York state.”

The budget was unanimously approved by the school board; a budget hearing will be held Wednesday, May 4, at 6 p.m. in the middle school library.

The budget vote will take place statewide on May 17, which is when school board member elections will also take place.