Utica superintendent presents 0% tax-levy budget; board reviews $500,000 summer program and $30 million capital reserve plan

Superintendent Dr. Spence presented the Utica City School Districts proposed budget and recommended a 0% tax-levy increase, framing the plan around equity, accountability and sustained growth.

"And so we're also recommending a 0% tax levy increase," Dr. Spence said during the board presentation, adding that the budget aims to balance program expansion with long-term sustainability as several labor contracts remain open.

Why it matters: The budget keeps local property taxes flat while relying on a projected 7.9% increase in state aid and a modest reduction in appropriated fund balance. Board members pressed the administration for details about which programs are recurring, which are newly funded and how the district will measure outcomes.

Board members focused substantial attention on a proposed summer learning program Dr. Spence described as a mix of academic instruction and social-emotional supports intended to reduce summer learning loss. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Fauci said the district budgeted $500,000 for the initiative, with roughly $400,000 earmarked for personal services and $100,000 for contractual services.

"I believe we budgeted 500,000 for that, these programs," Mr. Fauci said, and listed partners for some offerings, including the Griffith Institute and SUNY Poly for STEM camps.

Several trustees raised equity and logistics concerns, asking whether transportation and meals were included and warning that, without those supports, the program could unintentionally favor students with available transport. The board requested a breakdown showing which summer activities were previously grant-funded and which are new general-fund expenses, and asked for implementation details at the next meeting.

On staffing and operations, the administration said three assistant-principal positions approved by the board are already included in the current-year budget. The budget also reflects increased spending in staff development, school lunch subsidies and certain BOCES lines; the business office said cuts made since the February draft were largely contingency reductions rather than personnel cuts.

The superintendent emphasized the districts strategy to convert some one-time fund-balance uses into expense-driven, aidable items so that state aid will replenish local spending in subsequent years. He also announced an upcoming CTE site visit and a scholarship nomination for a graduating senior.

Propositions and capital planning: The administration outlined four propositions for the upcoming school vote: Proposition 1 (the district budget), Proposition 2 (establish a capital reserve fund with a $30 million maximum over 15 years), Proposition 3 (authorize use of up to $10 million from an existing capital reserve for unaidable capital costs such as a central kitchen), and Proposition 4 (a Utica Public Library funding proposition that would appear on the same tax bill but is independent of the district levy).

Board member (Speaker 8) explained that a capital reserve is a financial planning tool to lower the local share of unaidable capital costs and said the district is positioning itself to fund potential unadable projects in the future.

Next steps: The administration agreed to return to the board with a more detailed program plan and financial breakdown at the next meeting, including the requested distinctions between grant-funded programs and expanded general-fund programming, and more detail on transportation and meals for summer offerings. The board approved routine motions (minutes, adjournment and agenda adjustments) by voice votes during the meeting.