Deputy superintendent previews budget calendar amid state aid uncertainty; invites budget ambassadors

Deputy Superintendent Mitch Ball presented an early‑phase budget update and timeline to the Gates Chili Central School District board, stressing uncertainty around state aid and the need for continued budget development work.

Ball said the district is in the early stages of budget development and that final state aid numbers will not be available until April. "We won't know more about that until the governor puts out some aid runs in January," he said, noting there are competing narratives about next year's state aid. He told the board the district is preparing a balanced budget at or within the tax‑cap and is planning conservatively.

On revenue assumptions, Ball said the district's portion of Monroe County sales tax is expected to rise roughly 3% and that smaller revenue lines (Medicaid, tuition) might increase about 2.5%. On costs, he identified key drivers: average salary steps/raises per negotiated contracts (roughly 3.8% noted), Teacher Retirement System employer contribution moving from 8.25% to 8.75%, Employee Retirement System estimated near 16.88% (up from about 13.8%) and projected health‑insurance increases around 10%.

Ball described the district's use of fund balance and reserves as governed by general municipal and education law and said those reserves provide limited flexibility if state aid is lower than expected. He also described the budget ambassadors advisory group (up to 15 community members) and encouraged interested residents to apply by Jan. 9 at 5 p.m., pointing to gatechili.org/budget for information.

Ball said the timeline will firm after the governor's January aid runs and the district expects a final proposal in March/April aligned with the state's budget schedule. Board members did not take action during the update; Ball invited additional questions and said further detail will come to the finance, facilities and audit committee.