Budget | Finance/Tax Collection
The BCSD Business Office is located in the high school’s C wing. Overseeing the office is Chief Business and Financial Officer John McPhillips, who along with his staff, handles the business end of running the school district. They serve the community and they serve district employees. Have a question about your health insurance, but you’re not sure who to call? Maybe it’s a retirement question or you need to process a donation for an extra classroom activity? Please use the information on this page to contact the Business Office team!
Budget
Proposed Budget Information | Current Year Budget Information | Budget Process | Voting Information
2023-24 Proposed Budget
At its April 5 meeting, the Bethlehem Central Board of Education adopted a proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year that will go before voters on Tuesday, May 16. The $106.7 million proposed plan includes a 3.89% year-to-year budget increase and a tax levy increase of 2.30%. The proposed tax levy increase is below the district’s tax cap (3.08%).
On May 16, qualified residents will be able to vote on the budget between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School in the upper gym. Individuals are eligible for election to the Board if they are qualified voters of the district (district resident, U.S. citizen, 18 and older) and can read and write.
More information about the May 16 Budget Vote and Board of Education Election.
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
If you are unable to access the information above, please contact the BCSD Communications Office at 518-439-3650.
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Proposed Budget Documents and Financial Information
2022-23 Budget Information
- Total Budget: $102,698,000
- Spending Increase: 0.65%
- Tax Levy Increase: 0.0%
- 2022-23 Budget Process
Past Budgets & Bonds
View all past budget and bond results.
Budget Process
The district follows this general budgeting process each year. Dates and times may vary slightly year to year.
Fall
- District reviews long-range goals, enrollment projections.
- Administrators begin discussing budget priorities.
January
- Governor proposes Executive Budget. District reviews preliminary state aid projections.
- District estimates health care/retirement costs and other major cost drivers.
February
- District presents preliminary budget and identifies the initial gap between what is needed to continue all programs into the next year and projected revenues.
March
- By March 1, the District must submit its calculated maximum allowable tax levy under the state’s property tax cap.
- Board of Education (BOE) reviews administrative recommendations for budget expenses in various areas such as instruction, transportation, special education, facility, athletics, etc.
April
- BOE discussions continue on priority issues; legislative actions affecting revenue and expenditures; impact on instructional programs, staffing, and support operations.
- By April 1, the New York State Legislature must adopt a state budget. District updates its state aid projection.
- The BOE examines fund balance options to supplement revenues if needed.
- BOE adopts school budget proposal.
May
- Annual budget hearing. Budget information is mailed to all voters.
- Third Tuesday in May: BUDGET VOTE DAY
Voting Information and Eligibility
- Who can vote? To vote, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Bethlehem Central School District for at least 30 days prior to the vote. You do not need to be registered to vote.
- Voting is held in the upper gym at BCHS. The school is located at 700 Delaware Avenue. Park in the lot on Delaware Avenue, and use the main entrance on the Delaware Avenue side of the building.
- Absentee ballots are available for those who plan to pick them up at the district office (see below for more information on absentee ballots.)
- The district will conduct an anonymous exit survey of voters on the day of the vote. Please consider submitting this valuable feedback to the district.
Absentee Ballot Information
Absentee ballots are available at the link below or from the District Clerk, Brittany Barrett, and will be issued upon request to residents who will be out of town or unable to vote at the polls due to illness or disability.
Absentee Ballot Application and Instructions
You must complete an application to receive an absentee ballot. The application must be received by the District Clerk at least 7 days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Please mail or drop off your application to the below address.
Contact information:
Brittany Barrett, District Clerk, Bethlehem Central School District Educational Services Center, 700 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY, 12054, (518) 439-7098