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Hyde Park board preview: $125.9M preliminary budget, 2% proposed tax‑levy increase and two bus propositions on May 20 ballot
Summary
Superintendent and finance staff presented a proposed 2025–26 general fund budget of about $125.9 million, a recommended tax‑levy increase of 2% (below the 2.43% tax cap) and two separate voter propositions to replace seven conventional buses and to purchase nine electric buses supported by a NYSERDA grant.
Superintendent and finance staff presented the district's preliminary 2025–26 budget and the timelines for board adoption and the May 20 public vote.
Dr. Roman and district finance staff said the proposed total budget for 2025–26 is $125.9 million, a year‑to‑year increase of about $4.9 million (4.13%). The district plans to propose a tax‑levy increase of 2.0%, below the district's tax cap for the year (2.43%). Officials said the difference between the levy cap and the proposed levy is $307,697 and could be covered by using additional fund balance if the board chose to do so.
State aid, the presenters said, was not finalized at the time of the presentation; the district will adjust state‑aid line items and related fund‑balance use after the state budget is enacted.
The presentation highlighted program, administrative and capital components and noted salaries and employee benefits account for about three‑quarters of the budget. The district is planning a capital outlay security camera project (a typical capital outlay project can receive state reimbursement) and reported debt service increases in the coming year.
Two bus propositions will appear on the May 20 ballot as separate propositions:
- Proposition 2 (replacement buses): authorization to purchase seven conventionally powered (gasoline/diesel) replacement school buses. Gross cost quoted: $975,000; after estimated state aid the district's net cost was presented as $405,000.
- Proposition 3 (electric buses): authorization to purchase up to nine electric school buses. The gross amount shown on the resolution was $4,500,000. Presenters said the district expects to use a NYSERDA grant program (presented as NISPPIP in the discussion) that would provide $257,250 per bus (about $2,300,000 total). The presenters explained the bus vendor would apply the grant credit and the district planned to use capital reserve for the upfront balance; they told the board state aid is applied to the gross amount and said, "after state aid have 9 buses for no cost to the district," indicating the district expects significant reimbursement on eligible purchases.
Dr. Roman noted BOCES service rates and some state aid numbers were not final; the budget presentation and property tax report card adoption timeline remain on schedule, with the public budget hearing set for May 8 and the vote and board election on May 20.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the camera capital outlay plan, bus procurement timelines and tariff issues; district staff said New York State Office of General Services guidance had prevented bus contractors from adding tariff charges to the current contract, easing concerns about sudden price increases.
If both propositions pass, district officials said they will purchase the buses as presented; if only one passes, the district would only proceed with that proposition's purchases.
