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Troy City School District proposes 1.75% tax levy, uses reserves and attrition to close budget gap
Summary
District administrators presented a draft budget that assumes a 1.75% tax levy, temporary use of reserves and appropriated fund balance, and an attrition-based staffing plan to avoid layoffs; the board set a May 7 public hearing and approved consent items by voice vote.
The Troy City School District’s administration presented a draft budget to the board that relies on a combination of a proposed 1.75% tax levy, attrition-based staffing adjustments and one-time reserves to close a multi-million-dollar gap while final state foundation-aid figures remain uncertain.
District administrators said the governor’s executive proposal included a 2% minimum increase but that both the state assembly and senate have signaled higher allocations; the district is planning conservatively because the final state budget had not been passed at the time of the presentation.
The administrator explained that a 1.75% tax levy would produce an estimated additional $660,000 in revenue and characterized the increase as a moderate option that would amount to about “a little over $5 per month” for taxpayers. The board discussed that figure and several members described 1.75% as a palatable compromise.
To limit layoffs, the administration proposed a strict attrition plan: vacancies will be reviewed before replacement, several unfilled positions (including two special-education positions) will remain unfilled, and three social workers would be funded temporarily through a grant carryover for about one year. The district also plans modest savings from recent retirements and salary step breakage (estimated around $200,000).
The administration described using one-time resources — reserves (about $1.5 million noted in the presentation) and an additional appropriated fund balance (about $600,000) — to close the remainder of the gap but cautioned that those are not sustainable recurring revenue sources and will require conservative expense management next year.
Board action and schedule: The board approved a series of routine consent motions and minutes by voice vote and the administration announced a town-hall-style budget public hearing to be held May 7. The chair also moved to reenter executive session for a grievance hearing under Article 15 of the CBA with UPSCU; the motion was seconded and at least one roll-call 'Aye' was recorded.
What was not decided: Final reliance on state foundation aid remains unresolved; administrators said the district will revisit numbers if additional state funding materializes and that several budget figures remain contingent on the final state budget.
Next steps: The board will hold the public budget hearing on May 7 and further community meetings with PTOs to solicit feedback before any adoption vote.
