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Byram Hills reports $103.4M budget, $7.8M in reserve use and flags longer-term sustainability
Summary
Finance staff reported a $103.4 million 2024–25 budget and said the district used roughly $7.8 million in reserves (including capital) to balance the year; with debt service falling off next year, board members were warned the district may need an override to avoid continued reserve drawdown.
Byram Hills Central School District officials reviewed 2024–25 budget-to-actual results for the board on Nov. 4, saying the district’s total budget was $103.4 million and that operating and capital decisions in the past year required drawing reserves.
Kelly (presenter) told the board the district’s top five budget categories were salaries (~53%), benefits (~26%), operations and maintenance (about 5%), special education (about 4%), and technology (about 3%). She said capital project spending of roughly $4.1 million was excluded from some analyses and that net reported expenditures were approximately $103.5 million after adjustments.
On the revenue side, Kelly reported incremental increases in tax levy revenue of about $143,000 and an additional $177,000 in state aid. “Other revenue,” primarily county sales tax and interest income, exceeded budget by roughly $1.8 million, she said.
Kelly said the district budgeted to draw reserves but used slightly less than planned; combined reserve appropriations and transfers amounted to roughly $7.8 million to cover capital and operating needs in 2024–25. At the start of the year, the district held about $10.6 million in reserves; excluding a $4.4 million capital reserve leaves about $6.2 million in operating reserves, which staff said they will closely monitor.
Board members and staff discussed pension and benefit rate assumptions. Kelly reported the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) rate is expected to fall to about 8.75% in coming cycles while ERS rates for noninstructional staff may rise slightly; health insurance rates were pending finalization in December or January.
Several board members raised sustainability concerns. With debt service ending next year, the district could face a low or zero tax-cap increase that could still result in higher taxes for some residents; staff warned that an override to the tax cap may be needed in the next budget cycle to avoid ongoing reserve use.
The board approved the 2026–27 budget materials (motion moved and seconded; roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript). Staff said the district will pursue a budget workshop and board retreat to identify potential reductions and strategies to rebuild reserves.
