At the April 23 Board of Education Budget Workshop, Executive Director of Finance and Management Services Alicia Koster presented the District’s Preliminary 2020-21 Budget, which totals $96,839,306, represents a 2.2% budget-to-budget increase and stays within the cap with a tax levy increase of 2.82%.
“Our financial plan continues to be focused on the district’s strategic commitment to academic success, high-quality instruction, an engaged school community in which all students have access to supports and opportunities, and the systematic approach to continuous improvement and efficient use of our resources. However, this has been a much different financial planning year, unlike any other year,” said Koster. “As we have all seen and heard by now, the fiscal year 2021 State budget was enacted with a projected $10-$15 billion deficit. There is much uncertainty regarding how Federal monies will help offset this deficit and concern that education aid may be further reduced. It important now that we stay the course, strategically, in our long-range financial planning to make budget planning decisions for the 2020-2021 school year that will sustain the District’s financial stability and protect our instructional program for students.”
Due to the Governor’s Executive Order 202.13, issued March 29, all New York State school board elections and budget votes were postponed to at least June 1, 2020. The District is awaiting further guidance from the Governor’s Office.
In the meantime, the next budget workshop is scheduled for April 30, with anticipated budget adoption during the May 7 Board of Education meeting. A public budget hearing will be held on May 19. Budget workshops and Board of Education meetings will be held remotely for the duration of the mandated school closure. Meeting information and audio links will be posted under District Notices on the e-Backpack page.
Questions regarding the budget may be emailed to budget@socsd.org.