Iroquois Central presents $60 million budget; business administrator projects 3.34% tax‑levy increase ahead of vote

Business Administrator John Lewinsky presented the Iroquois Central School District’s annual budget hearing and said the district’s proposed 2025–26 budget would be presented to voters next week, noting the district’s revenue and expense lines match with an overall 2.59% increase.

Lewinsky told the board the district’s tax‑cap calculation submitted to New York State results in a 3.34% tax‑levy increase “on your tax bill,” and that the district may adopt that increase with a simple‑majority (50%) vote. He warned equalization rates and local assessments can change the ultimate tax rate and that such estimates frequently shift before finalization.

The proposal includes Proposition 1, a general fund budget totaling $60,000,000, and Proposition 2, a vehicle‑replacement proposition to refresh the district’s fleet (three full‑size buses, a 30‑passenger cutaway and a wheelchair‑equipped lift bus). Lewinsky said the proposition language carries a “not to exceed” cap but the figure on the presentation was not clear in the meeting record; the board presentation advised the ballot will show the official cap. A separate capital outlay item of $100,000 was also included to address repairs and upgrades at the district’s transportation facility, with work planned for the summer of 2026.

Lewinsky reviewed recent state developments that affect the budget outlook. He said the final state aid figures that arrived within the prior week produced an expected roughly 2% increase in foundation aid. He also called the passage of universal free school breakfast and lunch “great news,” and noted the district is awaiting guidance about whether income‑verification forms will still be required. He reported that the BOCES aidable salary cap—previously indexed at $30,000—will be increased to $60,000 but not until the 2028–29 school year.

On transportation policy, Lewinsky summarized a state change on the zero‑emission school bus mandate: the state will allow 24‑month extensions and broaden acceptable justifications tied to factors outside a district’s control, and he said the practical effect appears to push strict purchase mandates to 2029 (rather than the earlier 2027 date described in prior guidance).

Lewinsky said the budget is balanced as presented (revenue and expense both up 2.59%) and that more detailed budget documents and past presentations are available on the district website. He reminded residents the budget vote will take place next week in the intermediate building gymnasium from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and encouraged taxpayers to review materials and contact district staff with questions.

Discussion in the hearing included board members’ questions about the timing of state aid changes, the delayed effective date for the BOCES cap increase, and infrastructure implications of the state’s bus‑transition extensions. Lewinsky emphasized the district will forward any further written guidance as it becomes available.

The hearing satisfied the district’s statutory requirement to hold a budget hearing prior to the vote; the board took no final vote on the propositions at the meeting.