Goshen CSD outlines $102 million rollover budget projection, flags special-education and benefits as drivers

Assistant Superintendent for Business Lorraine Van Punt Lambert presented a preliminary rollover budget scenario to the Board of Education on Oct. 14 that would keep current programs and staffing in place while accounting for projected cost increases.

Van Punt Lambert said the district's projected rollover budget is $102,025,830, a $5.2 million (5.4%) increase over the current budget. Her presentation used planning assumptions including a 6% increase for health insurance and other benefits and a 5% increase for BOCES services. "We have a total projected rollover budget of $102,025,830 and that's a $5,200,000 increase or 5.4% over our current budget," she said.

Van Punt Lambert and other administrators noted enrollment projections show a decline of about 93 students spread across grades, which will affect staffing and budget planning. The presentation also highlighted that the district's fund balance has decreased from about 8% to roughly 5% and that the district added to several reserves in the prior year.

Unknowns that could change the budget include out-of-district special-education placements, exact BOCES rates (typically finalized in January-March), and retirements, which are due to the superintendent by Jan. 15 and influence attrition and "breakage" savings. The administration said it will review the state's revised aid figures after the Nov. 15 database release, watch the governor's proposed budget in January and prepare for the March tax-levy cap calculations.

Van Punt Lambert also told the board the district is working with financial consultants and the facilities committee to analyze building-condition work and potential capital projects and will report back with possible taxpayer impacts.