North Syracuse board hears budget update; approves routine propositions, policies and contracts in unanimous votes

Superintendent provided a budget update and the Board of Education approved a slate of routine motions, all carried unanimously, during the regular meeting.

Superintendent overview and budget status

Dr. Ward presented a budget update to the board, citing inflation pressures, reduced federal pandemic‑era funding and uncertainty over state aid. Ward said inflation has eased slightly (she cited a 2.8% overall inflation figure and lower food and energy prices) and that the district’s projected deficit has fallen from about $6.8 million to about $6.0 million after director spending reductions and a $500,000 projected increase in interest income identified by Treasurer Vince Love. Ward said the district is using the governor’s executive budget numbers for planning because the final state aid figure remains uncertain.

Ward said the district will not include a Micron PILOT in the 2025–26 tax cap calculation because no pilot agreement is yet in place, and she reiterated district effort to limit staffing and use attrition where possible. Ward described negotiations that produced compensation increases estimated at about 4.25% coupled with employee…