On Monday, the Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education adopted a $74,576,122 budget proposal for 2012-13 that calls for a 1.95 percent tax levy increase and increases spending by 0.75 percent. The district was faced with revenue losses from state, federal, and county governments and increased operational costs, such as state mandated increases to employee pensions and health insurance, that at first resulted in an estimated tax levy increase, or the amount of revenue acquired through property taxes, of 6.13 percent. To make up for the loss in revenue from multiple sources, the district made $749,764 in reductions by eliminating seven staff positions; took $1.7 million from the its undesignated fund balance; and used $509,000 from its Workers’ Compensation Reserve Fund to pay workers’ compensation costs. It also saved $3.3 million through cost-saving measures such as using BOCES services. “We stayed true to the community’s request that we reduce our spending where possible, instead of eliminate entire programs and services,” said Superintendent Corliss Kaiser. “This budget does so in a responsible way – both for our students and staff and for district taxpayers.” The district had planned to freeze its equipment budget for the third time in four years, but based on the budget approved by the state Legislature March 30, now plans to move $98,532 to the district’s equipment budget. A budget hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 7, at Eagle Hill Middle School Library, 4645 Enders Road in Manlius. The budget vote is May 15 at Fayetteville Elementary School.