SCS Budget, Buses, More on May 21 Ballot

SCS Tax Levy Up 2.45 Percent, Budget up $804K

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie school residents will be voting on a $27.6 million budget that will increase the tax levy by 2.45 percent when they go to the polls on Tuesday, May 21.

Causing the tax hike is major hikes in employee benefits, debt service, BOCES, and tuition costs and no increase in state foundation aid. The tax levy is set to rise by $208,323.

School board members last month approved a $27.6 million budget for the 2024-25 school year. The spending plan is up by 2.99 percent or $804,000 over the current budget. The tax levy and budget hikes are lower than the current inflation rate of 4.12 percent, noted School business administrator David Baroody noted.

The biggest increases in spending were:

* Employee benefits, up by $634,000.

* Debt service costs, up by $170,000.

* BOCES costs, up by $102,000.

* Tuition costs, up by $388,000.

In the last three years, about 20 high-needs students have moved into the district, each of whom require out-of-district transportation for special education services.

Superintendent David Blanchard said 20 high needs students in three years is "really significant."

He noted that the district has been able to cut in-district bus runs to eight because of dual runs since the pandemic. Unfortunately, the number of out of district runs has increased to 12 to take students to the Capital District.

In combination with the increases in costs, the district did not get the standard three percent increase in state aid as the district has been accustomed to, Mr. Baroody added.

He also noted that the budget retains all educational programs. There are four positions being eliminated, all through attrition. There are no layoffs.

The four positions are:

* Full-time instructional position, elementary school.

* Full-time instructional position, high school.

* Full-time maintenance mechanic.

* Full-time, school administrator.

In addition, there will be four more propositions on the SCS ballot:

* The purchase of five replacement buses for up to $580,000 before trade-ins and state aid.

* Public library, $146,000, up by $20,000.

* Capital Reserve Fund allocation  of $2 million from the existing Capital Reserve Fund to support the local share of the district's ongoing capital projects.

* Establish a bus purchase capital reserve fund for up to $1 million for a probable term of 10 years for the purchase of electric buses.