SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs City School District residents will vote on a proposed spending plan for 2024-25 that is 4.2% higher than the approved 2023-24 budget.
The district, which supports around 6,000 students, will also increase the amount raised by taxes almost 3.5%.
Under the proposed budget, which is up for vote on May 21, the district proposes spending $148,709,136 compared to the approved 2023-24 spending plan of $142,718,530.
The tax levy is under the state's tax cap, with the district anticipated to raise $99,616,051 for the next school year.
The district will host a budget hearing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday ahead of the regular school board meeting at 7 p.m. in the Meade Auditorium at the high school.
“The budget represents a responsible spending plan that continues to invest in high-quality classroom instruction, while proving responsive to social emotional learning and special education needs, through investment of necessary and ongoing supports,” said Bobby Yusko, the assistant superintendent for business.
Yusko said the budget includes $2.5 million in savings “achieved through strategic operational efficiencies and staff reallocations.”
He said that the biggest challenges for creating the 2024-25 budget included inflation, the elimination of COVID federal grant money, uncertainty over state aid and increases to various benefits such as health insurance. Health insurance is proposed to increase almost $1 million and the state retirement system is proposed to increase around $600,000, according to budget documents.
The district also said the budget includes funding for an alternative education program at the high school that will be “tailored to meet the unique needs of students who thrive on non-traditional learning environments.”
The district has proposed using over $9 million in fund balance and reserves.
People will also vote on a bus bond proposition. The proposition calls for spending an estimated $1,723,000 to purchase eight 66-passenger buses, as well as two 35-passenger buses and one 25-passenger bus that also includes six wheelchair seats.
“These purchases are part of the district’s plan to replace buses near the end of their useful lives to reduce maintenance costs and help ensure a safe fleet of vehicles,” the district states on its website.
The state would reimburse around 40% of the costs, according to the district.