Beekmantown superintendent outlines preliminary 2025–26 budget, flags bus purchases and state aid uncertainty

Superintendent of Schools presented a preliminary 2025–26 rollover budget to the Beekmantown Central School District board, saying the tax levy limit could rise from about $24.2 million to $25.1 million — an increase of roughly $900,000 (about 3.71%) if current estimates hold.

The presentation was led by the superintendent and Jen Parliament, the district's business manager, who described the plan as a starting point subject to change as the state's Foundation Aid formula and other figures are finalized.

The nut graf: District leaders said the draft is intentionally conservative and largely a rollover from the current year; critical inputs that could change the numbers include the Foundation Aid award, health-insurance rates and updated retirement-system rates.

Key figures and program details

- Tax levy: Using the draft inputs presented, the tax levy limit would increase to roughly $25.1 million from $24.2 million (an increase of about $900,000 or 3.71%), the superintendent said.

- PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes): The district's projected PILOT revenue for next year dropped in the draft because Saranac Power Partners had not renewed an addendum; the presenters said that company would return to the tax roll at full assessed value if no new PILOT were granted, which would increase tax revenue on the roll side.

- Retirement and benefits: Presenters used preliminary estimates for the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) and the Employees' Retirement System (ERS), with TRS estimated near 9.5'–10% and ERS rising from an estimated 15.2% to 16.5%. Health insurance was modeled at a 10% increase for planning purposes; business manager Jen Parliament called that a "worst-case scenario" and said the district hopes actual rates will come in lower.

- Fund balance and debt: The draft assumes using approximately $2 million of fund balance and about $300,000 for appropriated debt service; presenters emphasized these are estimates and subject to revision.

Transportation and bus purchases

- Fleet purchases: This year was presented as a four-bus purchase year under the district's rotation; one of the four buses is planned as wheelchair-accessible and therefore carries a higher price. Presenters estimated the fourth bus and wheelchair accessibility increase fleet costs by roughly $100,000'$150,000 compared with a three-bus year.

- Fuel type and electrification study: District staff said recent purchases have favored gas buses and that the last two diesel buses are being retired. The district does not yet have charging infrastructure, so it will begin a feasibility study to examine electric-bus purchases, route redesign, facility upgrades and whether local electrical infrastructure could support charging.

- State mandate context: Presenters referenced a state timetable discussed at the meeting that includes a phased move to electric buses (described by staff as beginning purchases in 2027 and a full fleet turnover by 2035). The superintendent and staff said the district will seek clarity about state funding for the required transition because the mandate, they said, would be costly if not fully funded by the state.

Board questions and next steps

Board members asked whether a PILOT could be re-amended and about timing; the business manager said the district typically received PILOT addenda in December and had not seen a renewal this year.

The presenters said the draft will change as new numbers arrive; they expect to bring a finalized tax levy limit to the next board meeting and monitor the governor's and Legislature's budget actions.

Ending: District leaders emphasized the presentation was preliminary and intended to give the board and public an early sense of risk areas and planning assumptions; finalized state aid and vendor quotes will determine the final numbers.