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Board hears tax-cap calculation and expanded UPK funding that could free $450,000 for general fund
Summary
District staff told the Beacon board the tax-cap calculation due March 1 shows a preliminary levy increase of 4.4% (driven by capital-exclusion debt scheduling) and that increased universal pre-K funding could allow the district to reallocate about $450,000 currently used for pre-K back to the general fund.
An unnamed district staff presenter updated the Beacon City School District Board of Education on Feb. 19 about the district’s tax-cap calculation, capital-exclusion treatment for a $49 million project and new universal pre-K (UPK) funding in the governor’s budget.
The presenter said the tax-cap calculation reflects three main inputs — the tax-based growth factor, the allowable growth factor (the lower of 2% or CPI) and the capital-exclusion debt schedule — and that decisions to spread capital debt over more years raised the capital exclusion and the levy estimate. "The percentage increase is at 4.4," the presenter said when discussing the district's preliminary levy increase.
Staff explained the district plans a bus proposition this year; the cost and financing of buses will be included in the levy calculation because buses are financed over five years rather than added as a one-time expense. Key procedural dates were noted: the tax-cap calculation must be submitted to the state by March 1 (it can be amended later) and the budget must be adopted in time for the property tax report card process in April.
On universal pre-K, staff said Beacon has offered full‑day pre-K and has been using about $450,000 of the general fund to help run the program. With the governor's UPK funding increases, the district could shift that $450,000 away from the general fund. "That $450,000 can go to other things in the general fund," the presenter said, and the district plans to open registration on March 13 to measure demand and determine whether a lottery will be necessary.
Board members asked about whether the district would be able to accommodate all families if demand rose, how state reimbursement rules apply to additional students, and the RFP process for community‑based organizations (10% of UPK grant must be contracted to CBOs). Staff said the district will monitor enrollment during the registration window and return to the board with details in upcoming budget presentations.
Next steps for the board include review of the tax-cap submission (due March 1), further public communication about the capital project and continued budget work in March and April.
