Tioga Downs Owner Donates to Tioga Central Schools

The Tioga Central School Districtt, which faces a second school budget vote this month, says Tioga Downs owner, Jeff Gural is to make a personal donation of $294,479 over the next two school years to help the financially strapped district.

Tioga Central failed to get a supermajority in the original school budget voting last month to put in place a tax levy increase of 30%.  The revised plan drops the hike to 17%, which is still above the state tax increase cap of 2%.

The 73 year old racino owner said he would guarantee his donation for three more years if New York State grants Tioga Downs the final license for a full casino.

District officials say private donations are helping to prevent more cuts in programs and staff.

Voters will still need to approve the revised $17,635,101 budget with a two-thirds majority. The vote is June 16 at the Middle School.