North Syracuse board hears initial 2025–26 budget showing $6.8 million gap; voters to consider pool grant use

The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education heard an initial 2025–26 budget presentation Wednesday showing an estimated $6.8 million gap between projected expenditures and revenues and a proposed tax levy increase of about 3.04 percent. Mr. Keegan, a district staff member, led the presentation.

The projection assumes roughly $2.9 million in additional state aid — driven by a 2 percent increase in Foundation Aid in the governor’s proposal and other categorical increases — but estimates expenditures will exceed revenues by roughly $6.8 million, before further adjustments. “We have a lot of work to do here to balance the budget because our expenditures are $6,800,000 more than our revenues at this time,” Mr. Keegan said.

Board members were shown revenue and expense drivers: a 3.3 percent rise in general state aid excluding building aid, a substantial increase in building aid tied to capital projects, and an estimated universal prekindergarten allocation the district expects to collect of about $2.1 million (the district is eligible for roughly $2.4 million but constrained by enrollment and per‑student caps). Keegan said the district expects about $900,000 in Medicaid billings this year, roughly $100,000 more than the prior year, and noted limited general reserves after last year’s drawdown.

The presentation covered vehicle and equipment propositions the district plans to include in the vote: the usual fleet replacement (historically 12 buses per year) with two longer special‑needs buses this cycle to add wheelchair capacity and storage, two 65‑passenger buses with larger fuel tanks for long trips, and maintenance vehicles such as a larger mower and service vans. Keegan described the rationale as maintenance, DOT inspection reliability and utility for athletic and co‑curricular trips.

Separately, the board was told voters will be asked to authorize use of a $3 million grant secured for the district’s pool project. Keegan said bids for the pool are being reopened for the third time and that the district’s original cost estimate of $16.9 million has risen to about $19.9 million; board approval of the grant use would not increase the tax levy, he said, but is required before the district can spend the additional funds. The vote and budget election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20.

Keegan highlighted longer‑term cost pressures: multi‑year inflation (recent 12‑month inflation at roughly 3 percent), higher negotiated employee contract increases (settled contracts containing increases above assumed inflation), and the end of federal ARP/CRRSA stimulus funding that had previously offset some expenses. He also noted debt service has increased because of active building projects and that the district is aiming to maintain a fund balance at or slightly above the 4 percent level recommended by the New York State Comptroller.

Superintendent Dr. Ward and other board members asked clarifying questions; Keegan said the district will return with more detailed figures and specific proposition cost estimates at future meetings. No formal budget vote took place at the session.

Ending: The board’s budget calendar requires the board to adopt a final budget before the May 20 vote; staff said further adjustments and details will be presented at subsequent meetings prior to adoption.