Schoharie CSD will present a $25.5 million budget for the 2021-22 school year on Tuesday, May 18 that includes a 1.99 percent decrease in the tax levy.
“The budget aligns with the Board’s objective to ‘Sustain the fiscal capacity of the school district to equitably provide for the programs and services for students, not only for next year, but for years well into the future,’” said Superintendent David Blanchard.
The fiscal plan has 2.92 percent more in overall appropriations from the current year. Because of the way the tax levy limit is calculated regarding exclusions for building aid, there is an overall decrease in the levy, which meets the state’s limit for the district.
Major cost changes from the current fiscal year are projected to be $117,969 in employee and retiree health insurance and prescriptions, and $459,133 in contractual salary increases. There is also a $100,000 capital outlay funding request intended to help with facilities improvements. Funding is included for enhanced summer programming to help students academically after pandemic-related disruptions. Decreases are made in the area of instructional supplies and equipment. The budget is balanced by increases in state aid.
In addition to the proposed 2021-22 budget, district voters will elect two new members to the Board of Education for three-year, unpaid terms. Candidates include Lynda Lewandowski and Lance Hellstrom.
There is a proposition to purchase four school buses to replace aging buses at an estimated cost of $332,000. Funds for this purchase would come from reserves and have no impact on the tax levy. A proposition to establish a Capital Reserve Fund will also be put before voters. It would have a limit of $2.5 million over a five-year term and be supported solely through fund balance surplus each fiscal year. Its purpose would be to finance renovations of the district’s facilities, as well as purchase furnishings, equipment and machinery as needed. This also would have no impact on the tax levy.
The Schoharie Free Library Association is seeking $10,000 more than the current levy for public library support. This levy is separate from the school district’s budget.
Voting will be in-person from noon to 9 p.m., on Tuesday, May 18, in the Jr./Sr. High School gym. Absentee ballots will be issued to eligible voters upon request. Please contact District Clerk Debra Cardella at (518) 295-6679. They will not be automatically mailed this year.
For more information, please see our Budget Page.