Niagara-Wheatfield board approves $91.1 million budget, sets tax levy at $37,506,700

The Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District Board of Education approved an expenditure budget of $91,099,697 and set the 2025 tax levy at $37,506,700 during its regular meeting. Both measures were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Superintendent-level staff presented budget details including a projected 8.98% foundation aid increase in the executive budget and a levy limit of 0.64% for the district. The administration said the district plans to use designated reserves and interfund transfers to cover capital and transportation needs, including $946,000 for new buses and $200,000 from the capital technology reserve for technology upgrades. The presentation listed the district’s revenue mix: 41.2% from real property taxes and 29.2% from foundation aid, with total state aid at 44.8% of revenues.

Officials explained a planned draw from several reserves and interfund transfers — including $800,000 tied to Greenway bond/host community funds — leaving a projected balance to fund of about $4.366 million. The administration noted it does not expect to expend all reserves in 2024–25 and described contingency options if small federal funding streams change.

Board members discussed the levy limit and moved to set the levy at the amount provided by state guidance. The motion to set the levy at $37,506,700 was moved and seconded and recorded as carried. The motion to adopt the $91,099,697 expenditure budget was also moved, seconded and carried.

The board was also told the district’s fiscal stress rating for 2023–24 was 0%, a marked improvement from prior years. No further public comments on the budget were recorded before the motions were approved.