Watertown board adopts $103.9 million proposed budget, sets 2.44% tax levy and several voter propositions
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Summary
The Watertown City School District board approved a $103,909,155 proposed budget for 2025–26 and a package of propositions including a $15 million capital reserve and a $1 million furniture reserve; the package will be submitted to district voters May 20, 2025. The board also approved a slate of routine motions and personnel actions.
The Watertown City School District Board of Education on April 14 approved a proposed $103,909,155 budget for fiscal 2025–26 and a tax levy set at the district’s calculated 2.44 percent cap. The budget, presented by Assistant Superintendent for Operations and Finance Brianne Durham, will be submitted to voters at the district budget vote on May 20.
“This budget is proposing a 2.44% tax levy increase,” Durham said during the presentation, describing revenue assumptions that include an increase in state and federal aid and a projected interest-income windfall. Durham said the district expects roughly $2 million in interest earnings this year and budgeted conservatively for $1 million next year. The proposed tax levy increase translates to about a $27 annual increase on a $100,000 home in Watertown, Durham said.
Durham outlined a recommended mix of revenues and spending: a projected near-$7 million increase in salaries (total proposed salaries just under $51 million), an increase in state and federal aid, greater use of fund balance (rising to $11.7 million), and continued diversification of reserves. She described three staffing and program priorities in the proposal: expanded special education staffing to meet state regulatory requirements (additional occupational therapy, 12:1:1 and 12:1:3:1 teacher/TAs, consultants and CSC chairs), expanded prekindergarten special-education supports with a proposed dedicated early-childhood services team, and program growth such as Cyclone Academy Junior and additional credit-bearing options for eighth graders.
Durham noted risks: New York State has not finalized its budget; foundation-aid growth figures remain subject to change and could fall below the district’s planning assumption. She also highlighted rising costs for ERS retirement contributions, health insurance and utilities, and an increase in the transportation contract.
Board discussion touched on fund balance, tax strategy and long-term planning. One board member urged caution about forgoing levy increases because of compounding revenue loss over time; another noted the district’s historically high fund balance and emphasized that reserves protect taxpayers from special assessments and unanticipated capital needs. Superintendent Dr. Larry Schabel said the district plans to apply for state and federal grants where feasible and highlighted recent district recognition at national conferences.
Votes and propositions approved by the board for placement on the May ballot include: - Proposed 2025–26 budget: $103,909,155; tax levy increase: 2.44 percent (to be decided by voters May 20, 2025). The board adopted the proposed budget to place before voters. - Proposition 2: creation of a $15 million capital reserve (voter authorization requested) intended to support future capital projects beyond the recent $110 million project. - Proposition 3: creation of a $1 million furniture reserve to fund future instructional-furniture purchases over time. - Proposition 4: security/IT reserve purchases requiring voter authorization, including open-gate weapon-detection systems and district radio equipment.
The board also approved multiple routine and personnel motions during the meeting, including the district’s vote to approve the 2025–26 administrative budget for Jefferson-Lewis-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES, nominations to the BOCES board, acceptance of bid awards (Jacob's Land Surveying for North Elementary site survey, $9,100), appointment of Kelsey Shepas as a K–12 principal effective July 1, and a slate of personnel actions (resignations, appointments, probationary and nonprobationary instructional hires, substitutes, and lead teacher designations). Several donations and disposals (library books, pianos) were approved as well.
Board members said the proposed budget aligns with the district’s strategic plan prioritizing graduation and attendance, while building reserves and planning for future capital work. The board voted to forward the proposed budget and ballot propositions to voters; the district will hold budget voting on May 20, with early and absentee voting information published by the district office.
