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Iroquois Central previews 2.63% expense increase as state aid and tax-cap figures remain uncertain
Summary
Board heard a budget preview showing a projected 2.63% rise in expenses, a 3.34% tax‑levy growth factor and uncertain state aid after Albany proposals; trustees were told reserves, combined-wealth ratio and federal Title funding shifts will affect next year’s budget.
The Iroquois Central School District board on Wednesday received a budget preview showing a proposed 2.63% increase in district expenses for 2025–26 and a tax-levy growth factor the district estimates at 3.34%, while state aid levels remained uncertain as Albany budget talks continued.
The presentation, led by district staff, outlined the district’s reserve plan, spending drivers and revenue assumptions. Officials said the district’s reserves sit at roughly 4% to support cash flow and unanticipated costs and that the governor’s executive budget proposes a statewide minimum 2% increase in foundation aid, while the state Senate and Assembly have proposed figures closer to 3%.
The presentation’s context: state negotiators in Albany were circulating proposals and the final state budget was not expected by the April 1 statutory deadline. Superintendent-level staff told the board a delayed state budget is likely and that negotiated figures could change during the upcoming conference negotiations in Albany.
Why it matters: board members were told the district must plan conservatively because several revenue lines have eroded or fluctuate year-to-year—most notably federal Title funds and certain expense-based state aids—while local full‑value property growth and the district’s combined-wealth ratio have reduced some aid reimbursement rates.
District staff said the combined-wealth ratio—the state’s measure of local wealth used in aid formulas—has moved above the statewide baseline in recent years, reducing the percentage of costs returned through aids such as BOCES and transportation. A slide shown to trustees indicated aid for some BOCES services has declined from roughly 68% a decade ago to below 50% today.
On federal funds, the district described Title I grant volatility tied to the district’s child-poverty measure. Staff said Title funding had varied noticeably when the district’s measured child-poverty rate hovered around 5%, and they said they are budgeting conservatively for roughly $100,000 of Title I next year.
Transportation costs were flagged as a rising expense category: line items the board saw show transportation rising roughly 4.19% year over year, driven by labor and contractual increases, supplies and maintenance. Staff estimated the transportation increase equals about $114,000 on the expense side; the overall gap between revenues and expenses in the draft budget was described as roughly $160,000—manageable, officials said, depending on final state aid.
Board members asked about electric-school-bus (EV) plans. District staff said the state Senate has discussed a possible two‑year delay in EV requirements and broader discretion for the State Education Department commissioner to approve implementation delays; the district said concerns include initial cost, charging infrastructure availability and winter performance in cold climate tests.
Capital needs were also discussed. Trustees were told the next major capital focus is maintenance of heating systems, roofs and the transportation garage. The district said a fully rebuilt bus lift could cost substantially more than a placeholder estimate; both state houses were reportedly considering raising the per‑project transportation-aid cap to as much as $250,000, which the district said it would monitor because the district receives aid on qualifying capital work.
Staff said professional development funding will be reduced from COVID-era levels but the district plans to restore some general-fund PD dollars to support teacher training tied to state policy changes (including the state’s Blue Ribbon efforts). Officials estimated the district’s PD allocation will be lower than the last five years, but still targeted primarily to instructional staff.
Board calendar and next steps: the district will present a final proposed budget in April and will act on propositions for the May vote; staff reiterated key dates: April 9 (board meeting), May 13 (budget hearing), and the May 20 budget vote.
“We would qualify for that minimum 2% increase at this point,” a district presenter told the board about the governor’s proposal, adding the trustees “do not feel it's really funding us correctly” given inflationary pressures.
The board received the preview for information; staff said they will update figures as Albany negotiations conclude and return with a recommended budget for board action in April.
