Gates Chili board approves 2025-26 spending plan for referendum, approves related propositions and routine measures

The Gates Chili Central School District Board of Education on April 22 approved placing its proposed 2025-26 annual budget and related propositions on the May 20 ballot, and the board unanimously approved a series of related administrative items including tenure appointments and a memorandum of agreement with the teachers association.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Mitch Balli told the board the proposed spending plan carries a 4.85% increase from the current year and that the district is still awaiting final action on the New York state budget. Balli said the state’s planned inclusion of the more current SAPE poverty indicator in Foundation Aid calculations remains the district’s best expectation but that the district would use fund balance or reserves to cover any shortfall until state aid is finalized.

The board voted unanimously to: place the annual budget before voters on May 20; approve the district’s property tax report card for 2025-26; acknowledge and set ballot…