Gates Chili superintendent outlines $146.5 million proposed budget, highlights transportation, staffing and capital projects

Dr. Mitch Ball, superintendent of the Gates Chili Central School District, opened the sixth season of the district's "Bit of Budget" series with a high-level overview of the district's proposed expenditures, saying, "our proposed expenditures total $146,485,512."

Ball framed the budget as a team effort, recording at the district's new Spartan Park and using a sports metaphor to describe how each dollar has a role in supporting student success. He said the budget supports both legally required services and discretionary programs that the district considers essential.

"Every school day, thousands of students step up to the plate and ride our buses to and from school safely and efficiently," Ball said, emphasizing that transportation and special education services are required by law and are core budget obligations.

Ball also highlighted non-mandated programs that the district funds, naming music, athletics, clubs, kindergarten and advanced placement courses as elements that contribute to students' readiness for college, careers and citizenship.

On staffing, Ball said, "Gates Chili employs nearly 900 full- and part-time staff," and added about a quarter of those employees live in the community. He stated the district's workforce supports students and strengthens the local economy, "generating more than $6 million in sales and income tax contributions."

Describing district facilities, Ball noted the district maintains "over 900-thousand square feet of buildings and 230 acres of land," and called those spaces community assets as well as school facilities. He said the district's Future Ready capital projects are underway to invest in safe, modern and efficient spaces.

Ball closed by previewing the next episode, saying it will look at who's helping fund the district and "where the money comes from."