Overview of Budget Process

The school budget is the biggest investment the community makes with its tax dollars. District leaders work to make the most effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner and to be accountable to taxpayers.

Development Calendar

October/November

• Administrative team reviews all staffing for all instructional and non-instructional staff with principals and supervisors
• Review budget status for potential increase/decreases (continued ongoing work throughout the year)

November/December

• Meet with non-instructional budget supervisors to discuss first budget drafts (buildings & grounds, technology, and general support)
• Meet with all related departments to discuss requests of BOCES services
• Principals meet with faculty to discuss instructional programs and item requests
• Administrators prepare program, staff and facility reports for review and discussion with the superintendent
• New instructional request forms for the new program budget are due to the superintendent

January

• Administrators will review instructional budgets with the superintendent and the school business administrator
• Budget Work Session & Regular Board of Education Meeting:
  • Present current year general financial overview to Board of Education including current year expense and revenue update
  • Elementary, secondary and special education will present a program overview including proposed budget

February

• Budget Work Session & Regular Board of Education Meeting:
  • Budget update
  • Presentation by athletics, technology, buildings & grounds, and transportation to include proposed budget overview

March

• Budget Work Session & Regular Board of Education Meeting:
  • Update budget information
  • Discuss governor’s proposed budget
  • Review of tax levy limit calculation
  • Review of revenue
  • A look at the five-year budget forecast
  • Discuss big ticket items (i.e., health insurance, BOCES)
  • Presentation of the superintendent’s recommended proposed budget
  • Board of Education initiates special propositions for May vote
• School board nominating petitions may be requested from the District Clerk or picked up at the District Office

April

• District clerk publishes legal notice of annual meeting and election 45 days preceding the vote and an additional three times in the weeks prior to the vote
• District Clerk may begin accepting applications for absentee ballots, early mail ballots, and military ballots 30 days before the vote
• Regular Board of Education Meeting:
  • Final upcoming budget and education plan presented to the Board of Education for adoption of the upcoming budget and property tax report card
• School business administrator files Property Tax Report Card with NYSED
• Deadline for submission of Board of Education nominating petitions due to the district clerk’s office
• Drawing for order of Board of Education candidates on the ballot
• District clerk prepares absentee ballots, early mail ballots, military ballots, and related envelopes and directions
• Absentee ballots mailed to voters registered with County Board of Elections as permanently sick and disabled, and to voters who have submitted properly completed absentee/early mail/military applications; clerk to maintain master list of all individuals provided an absentee/early mail/military ballot
• NYSED required salary disclosure form submitted electronically by the school business administrator

May

• Budget statement and all required attachments will be available for public review in all district buildings
• District holds voter registration day for eligible residents not currently registered with County Board of Elections
• Annual Public Budget Hearing
• Budget notice mailed to residents including property tax report card. Budget newsletter available to the public
• Budget vote (including any special propositions) and election of Board of Education candidates; Absentee ballots due

June

• Budget revote (if necessary)