Greece Central Board adopts $318.5 million 2025-26 budget; bus, capital reserve proposals headed to voters

The Greece Central School District Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a $318,529,556 operating budget for the 2025-26 school year, board members confirmed in a roll-call vote during the meeting. The board also placed two propositions on the May 20 budget ballot: a bus-replacement proposition to finance 35 buses and a measure to establish a $50 million capital reserve fund.

Superintendent Smalley and district finance staff presented the budget, saying the plan increases operating spending by about $10.7 million, or just under 3.5 percent, over the current year and estimates a tax levy of $128,072,028 (an increase of roughly 2.6 percent). "The operating budget is proposed at $318,529,556. It's up $10,700,000 or just under 3.5 percent," the finance presentation stated.

The budget presentation noted state budget numbers remain unsettled at the time of the meeting and staff expect modest adjustments when the state approves its budget. Finance staff said an anticipated foundation-aid change might reduce aid by $150,000–$200,000 but that increased BOCES aid could offset that, producing a net increase in state aid of roughly $500,000–$600,000 compared with earlier projections.

Proposition 1 on the ballot would finance the purchase of 35 buses, a mix of gas and diesel vehicles, at an estimated aggregate cost of about $5.6 million. The district plans to use $1.89 million from its bus reserve and to finance the remainder over five years; the finance presentation said the plan should not increase the local tax levy because of state aid and the reserve drawdown.

Proposition 2 would create a capital reserve fund of $50 million plus accumulated interest, with deposits allowed over a 15-year period. The district said any use of those funds for capital projects would still require a separate resident vote.

The board also reviewed voting logistics for district residents. Greece will use a single centralized polling location at the Transportation and Support Service Facility; polls will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The district said New York State purchased new touchscreen voting machines that voters will use for the first time on May 20, and the district plans videos and in-person assistance so voters can learn the machines before casting ballots. The district also detailed early voting by mail procedures and a schedule of public information events: a budget book release on April 25, a candidates night (board vacancies) on April 28, a public hearing on May 6 and two public information sessions on May 14 and May 15.

Board members thanked district staff for the budget work. In a roll-call vote the board adopted the budget by an 8-0 tally.

The district emphasized that final state aid figures were pending and that staff would absorb the eventual state changes into the budget as needed. The board moved on to other agenda items after the vote.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the 2025-26 budget in a roll-call, unanimous vote (8-0).