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BOCES warns ARWADA drop will change district shares; capital project drives capital budget rise
Summary
Representatives from Broome-Tioga BOCES told the Binghamton school board the 2025–26 administrative budget shows a modest net increase to districts while the capital budget rises substantially to fund a multi‑year capital project and future debt payments.
Rebecca Stone, district superintendent at Broome‑Tioga BOCES, told the Binghamton City School District Board of Education on Jan. 28 that BOCES’ proposed 2025–26 administrative and capital budgets reflect both recent enrollment shifts and a planned multi‑year capital program.
Stone said BOCES uses a resident weighted average daily attendance measure (ARWADA) to apportion administrative and capital costs among component districts. After an unusual rise of 65 ARWADA between 2023–24 and 2024–25, state projections show a regional decline of about 193 students for 2025–26. Stone warned that those changes affect each district’s proportional share of BOCES charges.
The administrative budget is listed as a 6.28% increase overall, Stone said, but an altered investment strategy and expected revenues reduce the net increase to about 2.22% for districts; she estimated Binghamton’s net administrative charge would increase by roughly $109,000 after BOCES aid. The capital budget shows a larger headline increase (about 27.21%), driven primarily by a planned $800,000 annual ramp that began in 2023 to cover anticipated Dormitory Authority bond payments beginning in 2026–27. Stone said the combined administrative and capital net cost to Binghamton, after aid, is currently estimated at about $234,000.
Stone and COO Chrissy Choi outlined recent capital work funded from the capital plan. Completed or under‑way items include the purchase and demolition preparation for a property at 409 Landwood to relocate an operations and maintenance building, completion of an emergency HVAC supplemental heat project, and construction of the Room Temperature Trades Complex (BTTC) to support heavy equipment and repair programs. Stone said BTTC received partial grant funding from Assemblywoman McDonald‑Parnell’s office and is expected to be completed in 2025.
Board members asked how CTE access and equity are being addressed as BOCES expands programming. Stone said BOCES allocates CTE seats by regional need and is adjusting selection processes that had been effectively first‑come, first‑served; she said staffing and program location decisions (for example, adding AM/PM sections and an Owego site) are intended to open slots and reduce travel barriers. A BOCES official said changes should free classroom space for special education programs when CTE programs move into new or expanded facilities.
Why it matters: BOCES’ capital project raises the capital charge to component districts in the near term as the region prepares for future debt service. District leaders will use the detailed ARWADA and aid calculations when finalizing their 2025–26 budgets.
Looking ahead: BOCES officials said final charges will depend on state aid and the 2024–25 enrollment data the state updates in its finance system; board members asked for continued updates as the district and BOCES refine their 2025–26 projections.
