Sachem board adopts $380.9 million budget plan, places transportation distance change on ballot

Sachem Central School District officials on April 2 directed administration to present a $380,900,000 budget for adoption next week and approved a resolution placing a transportation‑eligibility proposition on the May ballot.

The budget presentation by district staff projected a 1.77 percent spending increase for 2025–26 and showed administration filling a $1.75 million gap in transportation costs either by using reserves or by enacting reductions that include eliminating middle‑school sports and cutting 10 elementary positions. The board voted to put a transportation proposition on the ballot to change walking/ride eligibility and thereby reduce projected transportation costs by $1,750,000.

Why it matters: The district faces sustained revenue pressure from inflation that outpaced tax‑levy growth and uncertain state aid. Board members debated whether to ask voters to approve a tax‑levy override to restore the transportation funding and avoid cuts to programs and staffing or to rely on reserves or program cuts if the proposition fails.

Administration presented “Budget Draft Number 6,” showing the district’s tax levy filed with the comptroller at a 2.2005 percent increase and a planned $9 million transfer to capital for facilities work. The staff described continued uncertainty about final state aid numbers and said the district reduced a projected state‑aid figure by about $559,000 to reflect current enrollment estimates.

On transportation, district staff explained the proposed ballot question would change eligibility so that K–8 students living within 1 mile would be walkers and 9–12 students would be walkers if they live within 1.5 miles; the district also would reduce maximum route distances to 15 miles (from 25 miles for grades 9–12). Michelle (district staff) said, “we are looking to change that to k through 8 would be at the 1 mile, and, 9 through 12, anyone over 1 mile 1 and a half miles.” The district estimates the change would reduce transportation costs by about $1,750,000.

Board members raised safety concerns about pupils walking near major multi‑lane roads and asked staff to produce building‑level walking‑zone maps that highlight major roads and specific streets. Michelle said transportation will produce clearer maps to post on the district website.

Administration proposed two sets of reductions that together would cover the $1,750,000 if the board chose not to use reserves: elimination of all middle‑school sports (estimated savings of $577,000) and elimination of 10 elementary positions (estimated savings $1,100,000). Administration said most other reductions would come from secondary staffing attrition.

Board debate focused on three options: 1) present a tax‑cap‑compliant budget using reserves to cover transportation ($380,900,000); 2) present a lower budget that assumes the $1.75 million is cut through program/staff reductions; or 3) attempt to pierce the tax cap (board discussion referenced possible override levels between roughly 3.03 percent and 3.7 percent) and ask voters to approve a higher levy to avoid cuts. Board members were split: a majority expressed reluctance to pursue a tax‑levy override this year because they doubted it would win the 60 percent voter threshold, but several members said piercing the cap may be necessary in a future year.

District staff described constraints on budgeting the BOCES arts and education line: BOCES aid is reported in December for the prior year, so seed money for arts programming is typically budgeted by the district and then offset by donations or the later aid allocation. Administration told the board it would accept PTA donations earmarked for arts and education and process budget adjustments so PTA‑funded programs can be paid when invoices arrive.

Maria Sanders, who identified herself as PTA Council leadership, urged clarity on the timing and mechanism for PTA donations to cover arts and education programs and said some PTAs do not raise the larger amounts historically expected: “If PTAs are expected to make up that money, I can tell you, some of my PTAs don't even bring in that $40,000.”

The board signaled a majority preference to present the $380,900,000 budget that assumes the district will use reserves to fund the $1.75 million transportation line if needed; several members warned that drawing restricted reserves carries risk and urged longer‑term fiscal planning.

Votes at a glance

- Transportation proposition resolution (place proposed changes to transportation eligibility on the May ballot): approved by voice vote; minute record states "Motion's carried." (voice vote; individual counts not specified).

- Approval of minutes, March 26: motion by Mike Serny; second by Laura Slattery; approved by voice vote.

- Personnel consent agenda (teacher appointments/receipts): motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.

- Motion to enter executive session (student appeal and personnel matters): approved by voice vote.

What’s next: The board will adopt a final budget at its April 9 meeting. Administration will post detailed walking‑zone maps and continue working with PTA leadership on the process for donations and arts and education payments.