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Eden Central School District adopts $40.08 million budget with 2.58% tax levy
Summary
The Eden Central School District board approved a $40,076,769 2025-26 budget with a 2.58% tax levy and two propositions: the general fund budget and a $1,182,000 reserve-funded vehicles and equipment package. The board noted reliance on the governor's executive budget figures and that a contingent budget would cut equipment and bus purchases if voters reject the plan.
The Board of Education of the Eden Central School District on April 22 approved the district's 2025-26 budget in the amount of $40,076,769, carrying a proposed tax levy increase of 2.58 percent. The vote followed a presentation from district budget staff that walked board members through projected expenditure increases, revenue assumptions based on the executive (governor's) budget run, and planned use of reserves to close the remaining gap.
Budget presenter May told the board that major changes for next year include an approximately $500,000 increase in salaries, about $440,000 in increased benefits tied to salary growth, and a $1.6 million increase in debt service offset by higher deferred building aid. "This is the budget adoption meeting," May said while reviewing the propositions on the ballot. She said the district was instructed to use the executive budget proposal because the state budget had not been finalized.
The package on the ballot includes two separate items. Proposition 1 is the general fund budget of $40,076,769, which incorporates the 2.58 percent tax levy and a $100,000 capital outlay project. Proposition 2 would use capital reserve funds totaling $1,182,000 for transportation and buildings-and-grounds equipment, including one wheelchair-accessible bus and five full-size buses. May emphasized that Proposition 2 carries no immediate taxpayer impact because it would draw on existing reserves.
Board members asked how the district will respond if state aid changes after voters approve the budget. Board member S3 summarized the statutory constraint: "We're here because we have to be here," explaining schools must adopt a budget on schedule. The presenter said any decline in foundation aid would be covered by additional reserve use or by later expenditure cuts if necessary; a contingent budget would eliminate equipment purchases, the capital outlay project, and free facility use for outside groups.
Next steps noted by the board: the public budget document will be posted by May 6; a budget hearing is scheduled for May 13 at 6 p.m.; and the budget vote will be held May 20 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the middle/high school auditorium foyer.
