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Saugerties board hears budget projections, tax‑levy limits and approves calendar change; several routine motions passed
Summary
Superintendent and business officials outlined the tax‑levy cap, revenue forecasts and capital‑project timing; the board approved routine financial and personnel motions, tabled one calendar motion (K8) and later approved a calendar alteration (K21) shifting give‑back days.
The Saugerties Central School District Board of Education reviewed the district’s tax‑levy cap and budget projections for 2025–26 and approved a set of routine business and personnel items at its March 11 meeting. Trustees also altered next year’s school‑calendar give‑back days after discussion.
Superintendent Dr. Ersick and district business staff told the board the formal tax‑levy cap calculation uses the 2024–25 levy plus a tax‑base growth factor from the state comptroller and other add‑backs/exclusions. The district submitted a maximum allowable levy the district may use to the comptroller’s office and estimated a 2 percent allowable growth factor under the statutory formula; the presentation showed a maximum levy for next year of about $47,354,000 and a projected overall levy increase of roughly 3.43 percent when certain exclusions are included.
Business official Michael summarized revenue projections in the governor’s February budget proposal: a proposed 2.5 percent increase in foundation aid to about $17,865,780, building‑aid increases tied to the district’s recent $22 million capital project, and changes in BOCES aid and transportation aid. He noted the governor’s universal pre‑K proposal assumes 130 seats; the district currently budgets for about 80 UPK seats and would increase capacity to 90 if the district oversaw the program.
On capital planning, administration briefed the board on remaining capital reserves and debt timelines. Officials said roughly $4.6 million in capital reserves plus state building aid could support a sizable aidable project; administrators described a theoretical scenario in which the district could pursue an $11 million aidable project with current reserves and up to an $18 million project if other conditions are met. The presentation emphasized the district’s debt schedule creates an opportunity to stagger future capital work to avoid sharp tax swings.
Board business: trustees approved the minutes of the Feb. 11 meeting; accepted personnel resignations and appointments listed under J1–J2; approved the treasurer’s reports and internal claims audit (J1–J4); and approved a batch of action items listed as K1–K7 and K9–K20 after pulling K8 for separate discussion. K8 (the adoption of the school calendar as originally presented) was tabled for further review. The board later added and approved a new board action item (K21) to alter the 2024–25 give‑back dates: the revised give‑back days will be April 11, April 22 and May 27, 2025. All motions noted as approved were adopted by voice vote; specific tallies were not listed in the public transcript.
The board recessed into executive session for the regular self‑assessment and superintendent evaluation and later reconvened and adjourned in open session.
Board members discussed the pacing of budget outreach: timeline reminders included board‑member petitions due April 21, a public hearing on the budget in early May and the budget vote on May 20. Administrators scheduled additional public budget workshops for late March and April to walk through financial projections before the board sets the recommended budget for voters.
