Brunswick Central School District presents revised $30.8M budget, schedules June 17 revote at 3.55% tax levy

Stephanie (presenter) opened the June budget hearing for the Brunswick Central School District and presented a revised 2025–26 spending plan totaling $30,800,000 that carries a proposed 3.55% tax‑levy increase — the district’s tax cap. She told attendees the revote will be held Tuesday, June 17, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the elementary school cafeteria.

The revised plan trims and reassigns some previously proposed reductions after the original budget failed on May 20. “We received additional state aid after our original budget was passed,” Stephanie said, and the board also chose to use more fund balance and cut selected positions, including one Reach program teaching assistant and a middle/high school science position that arose from a resignation. The presenters said those changes allowed the board to bring the levy to the tax cap while preserving high‑priority programs.

Dr. Maloney, a district presenter, emphasized the district’s constrained operating posture and academic outcomes that informed budget choices. “We are one of the lowest cost per pupil districts in our area,” he said, and noted that 42% of the class of 2024 earned advanced Regents or advanced Regents with honors. He said the district operates leanly and had limited options for additional cuts without affecting programs.

District staff identified employee benefits and debt service as the largest budget drivers. Presenters said roughly $662,000 of the projected increase is attributable to higher health‑insurance costs, and they recorded an expected state‑aid increase of about $514,000. The revised levy increase equates to approximately $535,000 in additional property tax revenue compared with the current year; presenters said the district plans to use just over $1,000,000 of fund balance to close the gap.

Officials also outlined the capital and operational priorities tied to the budget. The plan includes funding to purchase two school buses and a $100,000 capital outlay project for building repairs and site work tied to a larger $25.4 million campus capital project beginning this summer. Presenters said aidable transportation expenses typically return about 71.4% in state aid in the following year and that the capital project will address roofs, security and athletic turf.

Stephanie warned of specific service reductions if voters reject the revote. “If this second budget fails…we will be operating on a contingency budget,” she said, adding that under contingency the district could not increase taxes and would likely be unable to purchase the two new buses, complete the $100,000 outlay, or retain the school resource officer; other programming — including guidance, music, athletics and Reach — could also be reduced.

The board discussed the revised budget briefly and the chair called for a motion to place the budget on the table for approval. The board voted; the chair reported, “Motion carries.” The district also moved and carried separate motions to appoint election inspectors and to approve a music‑department field trip to New York City.

The board scheduled its next meeting for the 19th at 7:00 p.m. and moved into executive session for a personnel matter.

Votes at a glance • Motion to place revised 2025–26 budget on the table and approve: Motion carries (no roll‑call tally recorded in transcript). Mover/second identified in the meeting exchange as “Jenna” and “Tammy.” • Appointment of election inspectors: Motion carries (mover/second referenced as “Jenna” and “Danielle” in the exchange). No inspector names or roll‑call tally recorded. • Approval of music‑department field trip to New York City (trip on the 13th): Motion carries; board voiced “Aye.”

What happens next The revote will be held June 17 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. If voters approve the levy (50% plus one), the district will implement the revised $30.8 million budget; if the revote fails, the district will operate under a contingency budget that presenters said would eliminate certain purchases and could curtail extracurricular programs and the school resource officer.