Kenmore-Tonawanda trustees review $199.96 million 2025–26 draft budget, cite $2.3 million gap and state uncertainty

Assistant Superintendent Morozko told the Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District Board of Education on Tuesday that the district’s proposed 2025–26 spending plan totals $199,963,186, a 4.32% increase from the current year, and currently shows a budget gap of about $2.3 million.

The draft budget, presented at a March 25 budget work session, will go to the board for tentative adoption on April 8, Morozko said. She told trustees the district trimmed its initial draft of $200,995,638 through reductions in BOCES costs, employee benefit estimates and contractual materials, supplies and equipment to arrive at the current figure.

The proposed budget matters because district revenue largely hinges on action by the state, Morozko said. “We’re still waiting on the state to say where they are, in terms of a budget,” she said, noting state budget actions have arrived late in recent years. If the final state aid figures are lower than assumed, Morozko said the district will need to find corresponding expenditure reductions or consider using more reserves after discussion at the district level.

Board members and staff discussed several state-level items that could affect district revenue and costs. Morozko said the one-house legislative proposal includes a slightly higher foundation-aid figure than the governor’s plan, which could boost revenue if it survives negotiations. She also flagged a state electric-vehicle mandate and the district’s NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) electric-vehicle report: the district identified costs not covered by NYSERDA and sought reimbursement from the state transportation department, which Morozko said declined.

Morozko further described prior-year adjustments — a statewide list of roughly $300 million in school-aid adjustments that have been withheld from districts in past years — and said current proposals would fund about $18 million per year toward that backlog, an amount she characterized as limited in relation to need.

Trustees praised district staff and labor partners for collaborative work on budgeting. Acting President Sporrs and Trustee Whitelaw both commended the process; Trustee Whitelaw said, “Thanks for all the hard work. It's really good to see the collaboration.” Morozko and other administrators noted continuing work across departments to balance instructional priorities with fiscal limits; she said district staff including “Nicole,” “Jeff,” “Matt” and “Kelly” have been focused on staffing, special education structure, and instructional planning.

No public comments on the budget were offered at the meeting. The board approved the meeting agenda and later adjourned the work session by unanimous voice votes. The board is scheduled to consider tentative adoption of the budget at its April 8 meeting, after which the district will publish the tentative budget and related hearing schedule as required by state regulations.

The district said it will continue internal budget work and may adjust the proposal depending on finalized state aid figures, grant decisions and other external factors.