Saranac Lake board warned a Rockefeller Institute proposal could cut district foundation aid; trustees approve budget items

At its Dec. 4 meeting, the Saranac Lake Central School District Board of Education was warned that recommendations in a Rockefeller Institute report could substantially reduce the district’s state foundation aid over a multi-year period, and trustees approved routine budget paperwork in response.

A board member summarized the Institute’s 312-page recommendations and said, “using an old formula, that would be a $3,000,000 loss over 5 years,” urging the district to plan ahead before the next budget season. Board members said the district is currently considered "overfunded" relative to enrollment declines and that the proposed changes could phase down extra aid over several years rather than an immediate cut.

The board’s discussion centered on how the proposed formula would reweight property (land value) and income factors in state aid. The report suggested alternative splits (examples discussed at the meeting included variations such as a 70/30 or 60/40 income-to-land ratio) and the possible addition of a “scarcity factor” to recognize the higher costs and low enrollment of rural districts. A district official noted those changes would require legislative action before they take effect and said it was unlikely the full package would be in place immediately.

Trustees also raised program-level uncertainties. One board member flagged federal Title funding and broader federal and state changes as additional unknowns; a participant noted that Title allocations to this district have declined in recent years and that totals this year were “about $400,004.66,” subject to further verification.

Speakers also pointed to potential positives in the Rockefeller recommendations: the report discussed 100% reimbursement for electric buses, which would fully cover the purchase cost if enacted. The board cautioned that even such proposals — while beneficial — would likely arrive only after additional legislative and administrative steps.

In procedural business, the board approved a motion to move the current budgetary charge report as presented by the school business executive and adopted the district’s 2025–26 budget development calendar. The board took voice votes to approve Resolution 0662024 (to accept the budgetary charge report) and Resolution 067234 (to adopt the budget calendar).

What happens next: board members said they will integrate the Rockefeller report projections and the new calendar into their budget planning and that a reserve-plan review will occur in March to inform the 2025–26 budget cycle.

Votes at a glance Resolution 0662024 — Motion to move the current budgetary charge report as presented by the school business executive: approved by voice vote. Resolution 067234 — Motion to adopt the 2025–26 budget development calendar: approved by voice vote.

(For attribution: quotes and attributions come from board members and district staff speaking during the Dec. 4 meeting.)