Taxpayers in Highland Falls could face a 24 percent tax hike unless the federal government kicks in additional school aid.

Although the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery school budget vote is slated for May 15, additional Federal Impact aid could still trickle in. The aid is made available due to the fact that property in the district belongs to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and is therefore not taxable. Although the vote is a mere five days away, the federal government has still not finalized its contribution. As a result, the school district was forced to create the spending plan without knowing how much federal aid it will receive.

The uncertainty about additional federal aid has inflated the tax increase put before voters. The district expects residents will say no to the proposed spending plan. If the budget is voted down, there will be another vote on June 19. District leaders hope by then, the federal numbers will be in.