Iroquois Central presents $60.38 million general-fund budget; allows 3.34% tax levy increase

John, the district’s business official, told the Iroquois Central School District Board of Education that the proposed 2025–26 general-fund budget is $60,382,075 and would require an allowable tax-levy increase of 3.34% under the state formula.

The budget presentation centered on revenue uncertainty from state foundation aid and on expense pressures from utilities and special-education placements. John said the district built additional reserves into the draft budget "so that's kind of our safety there. In case it does go back to 2, we're covered either way." He also explained the levy math: "That's an allowable amount that requires a simple 50% majority vote. If you chose to exceed that, you'd need a 60% super majority, but this budget does not have that. We just need the 3.34 allowable increase."

Why it matters: the board will put Proposition 1 (the general-fund budget) and Proposition 2 (vehicle replacement) to voters in May; the district must set its proposition amounts and publish required notices before the vote even though the state budget and final foundation-aid figures remain unsettled.

Key revenue and tax points - The business official said the district’s allowable levy increase, as calculated with the state formula, is 3.34%. That percentage represents the district’s computed cap under current guidance, not a board decision to adopt the full increase. - An illustrative tax-impact example in the presentation estimated that, if assessed values and equalization rates stayed constant, a homeowner of a $250,000 market-value house would see about a $90 tax increase; presenters cautioned that assessments and equalization rates will change and that the estimate is only a general guideline. - The administration increased the district’s retirement-system reserve allocation to reduce exposure to lower-than-expected state aid.

Expense drivers and program changes - The administration built higher utility-cost estimates into the draft budget after guidance from Area 1 BOCES energy advisers; John said utility-price forecasts ranged from 10% to 30% higher next year and that roughly $70,000 of the district’s $216,000 general-expense increase is for utilities. - Instructional spending includes an approximately $80,000 increase for professional development and supervisory support tied to a new reading program rollout; the district told the board it will reallocate funds (for example, pausing some grade-level-leader postings) to serve more teachers without increasing net cost. - Special-education costs rose mainly because of higher outside-placement expenses; transportation costs also increased (the district charges facility utilities to transportation accounts to maximize transportation-aid reimbursement). - The draft budget includes a $100,000 capital outlay to address repairs at the transportation building (HVAC, at least one vehicle lift refurbishment, pavement repairs), to be completed in summer 2026.

Propositions and capital items - Proposition 1: General-fund budget of $60,382,075 (amount from presentation). - Proposition 2: Vehicle-replacement proposition to purchase three full-size buses, one 30-passenger bus and one wheelchair-lift-equipped bus. The presentation indicated a "not to exceed" amount of "7.63" as stated in the meeting record; the presenter noted the district expects actual costs to be well below that number and said these will be traditional-fuel buses, not electric.

Schedule and next steps - The board scheduled the May 13 budget hearing and the May 20 budget vote (vote location: intermediate building), and noted an April 29 special meeting to cast component-district ballots for Erie 2 BOCES (BOCES budgets and board elections are voted by component districts). The district will publish official voter notices and finalize proposition wording and amounts ahead of the required public hearing.

Ending: Board members asked clarifying questions about equalization rates and timelines; presenters reiterated that final state aid figures must be received to remove the extra reserve allocation if state aid increases as some legislative proposals propose. The administration recommended monitoring state action and said the district can adjust reserves after foundation-aid allocations are finalized.