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

April

• District clerk will prepare absentee ballot application, absentee ballots and related envelopes and directions to voters
• District clerk publishes first publication of legal notice, time and location of school budget hearing and budget 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
• Deadline for submission of Board of Education petitions due to the district clerk’s office
• Absentee ballots available upon request
• District clerk draws for order of Board of Education candidates on the ballot
• Clerk prepares voting ballots for printing
• NYSED required salary disclosure form submitted electronically by the school business administrator

May

• District clerk publishes third publication of legal notice, time and location of school budget hearing and budget vote
• Absentee ballots mailed to all those who requested them; clerk to maintain master list of all individuals provided an absentee ballot
• Budget statement and all required attachments will be available for public review in all district buildings
• Annual Public Budget Hearing & Regular Board of Education Meeting
• Budget notice mailed to residents including property tax report card. Budget newsletter available to the public
• Fourth publication of legal notice on school budget hearing and budget vote
• Budget vote (including any special propositions) and election of Board of Education candidates; Absentee ballots due

June

• Budget revote (if necessary)