Springs School officials released updated 2021-22 budget projections during Monday's school board work session. Among the highlights was the news that this year's projected tax levy increase has been trimmed from 3.91 percent down to 2.61 percent — still within state limits on tax-levy increases — although that number is not yet set in stone.
The budget stands at $31.29 million, down from the $32.12 million draft that the district unveiled on March 22. It represents a 4.12 percent spending increase over the current year's budget of $30.05 million. Michael Henery, the district's business administrator, said this week that there will be more adjustments before the board has to move forward with the budget on April 26.
"Because there are so many moving parts and so many initiatives to help the children regain as much ground as they lost due to the pandemic and its impact on the delivery of instruction, there are going to be many changes," Mr. Henery said by email on Tuesday. "Our school board is also very sensitive to the financial situation from lost jobs during the past year that they are trying to be very mindful of."
If the board adopts its $31.29 million spending plan, a resident with a house valued at approximately $786,207 will see yearly school taxes increase by about $137, up to $5,198.
Of note was the announcement that Springs will receive $1.8 million in state aid — approximately $520,000 more than the current year — and $1.47 million in federal stimulus grants. The federal money is to be used over three years, but there are strings attached.
"The grant guidelines are telling us that these grants cannot be used to directly reduce the tax levy," Mr. Henery said, but Springs can list certain costs as Covid-19 necessities. "It will have the indirect effect of allowing us to rely somewhat less on our tax levy."
For instance, he said, technology and associated infrastructure is one of the categories the stimulus grant can cover. "They don’t recommend using it for long-term positions or recurring expenses," Mr. Henery said. "They want to make sure every student has a computer or a Chromebook, that they have Wi-Fi access — not just in the building, but they're talking about at home."
Along with the updated budget number, Springs released projections for the next five years' spending plans. Mr. Henery foresees the budget climbing to $34.79 million by the 2025-26 school year, but said that in "every one of those years, the tax levy is going to be below the calculated tax cap." Some savings on teacher and staff salaries is anticipated because many longtime employees are nearing retirement age, at which point they will theoretically be replaced by new teachers at lower pay.
David Buda, a Springs resident, was the only commenter on the budget on Monday. He urged the board to ensure it delivers information on time and in a more readable format this year. He questioned increased spending on high school tuition when student enrollment is expected to decrease slightly, and also questioned rising costs for teacher salaries when at least two retiring teachers are not going to be replaced.
Mr. Buda said by email on Tuesday that the budget process "is nearing its inevitable and predictable conclusion," that spending and taxes will increase.
"The ever-rising school budgets and tax levies continue to weigh heavily on owners of property in the Springs, with no relief in sight," he wrote. "Our school board, on its own, cannot address the gross disparity in school tax rates required to be paid by owners of property in our school district as compared to all other school districts in the town. But it can and must look for every conceivable savings in the school budget."
Barbara Dayton, the school board president, summed up the budget on Monday by saying it "has just what it needs in there. I don’t think we have any extravagant expenses in our budget."
The board will meet next at 7 p.m. on April 26, which is the latest date a New York State school district can adopt a budget to present to voters. There is a public hearing on May 11, and the budget vote will be on May 18.