Niagara‑Wheatfield board approves tax‑levy calculation; hears superintendent on state budget impacts and district priorities

The Niagara‑Wheatfield Central School District Board of Education approved the district's tax‑levy calculation and received a budget presentation about state proposals that could affect district transportation, student‑health services and state aid.

Superintendent (name not specified) told the board that the governor's executive budget contains proposals the district is tracking, including requirements and funding for zero‑emission school buses, reimbursement for telehealth counseling, and increases in Foundation Aid. The superintendent said the district expects a $2,243,000 increase in Foundation Aid under the governor's proposal and that the executive budget represents a 4.75% increase over the current year in the categories discussed.

Why it matters: the presentation outlined items that would affect operating and transportation costs and items the district plans to press in legislative advocacy. The board's approval of the levy calculation allows the district to meet a March 1 submission deadline while it continues to monitor final state budget actions.

The presentation summarized the district's legislative priorities, many aligned with the New York State School Boards Association and the New York State Council of School Superintendents: flexibility on the percentage requirement for zero‑emission buses because long routes may not be compatible with current battery ranges; state funding to cover required electrification studies; reimbursement for school‑based telehealth and counseling; recognition of rising student‑safety costs (SROs, SSOs and annual software subscriptions) that the superintendent said currently amount to "well over a million dollars we spend every year"; extension or replacement of the 211 waiver for rehired retirees; increased BOCES/Career & Technical Education aid levels; transportation for universal prekindergarten pupils; and additional aid for expanding ELL populations.

The superintendent noted that the governor's executive budget uses 2020 data for Foundation Aid calculations; that change accounts for the district's reported $2,243,000 foundation increase. The superintendent also cautioned that the executive budget is not final and that legislative changes could alter aid amounts.

On the tax figures presented: the district's prior year levy was shown as $37,266,554. The tax‑levy limit before exclusions was listed at $36,860,034; after allowable exclusions (including capital expenditures net of aid of about $646,000), the levy limit plus exclusions was $37,506,701, described in the presentation as a 0.64% increase over the prior year. The board voted to approve the calculation that will be submitted by the district's business office by the March 1 filing date; the board's action was to approve the calculation itself, not to set a final levy amount above the limit.

The board also heard other superintendent updates: the New York Highway Authority's proposed rate increases that had threatened higher electric costs were not being advanced by the governor and legislature at this time; both the boys' and girls' wrestling teams were Section VI champions; and the host communities committee for the Greenway found the district's outdoor learning spaces project consistent with the Greenway (described as a step 2 approval). The superintendent said the Greenway approval will require a future board resolution and then review by the State Education Department before work begins.

Votes and next steps: the board approved the tax‑levy calculation by voice vote (motion moved and seconded; all said "aye"). The business office will submit required filings by March 1; the board will later decide whether to adopt a final levy up to the legal limit or to set a lower levy.

No specific changes to state law or guaranteed funding amounts were adopted by the board; the presentation summarized the district's positions for state advocacy and identified items the district will continue to monitor as the legislative session progresses.