On Tuesday, May 21, residents will consider a $114.0 million budget for the 2024-25 school year which would maintain smaller class sizes and support the district’s core values of academics, character, community and wellness.
The proposed 2024-25 budget includes a tax levy increase of $2,303,572, or 3.25%, an amount BELOW the maximum allowable tax levy increase under the tax cap law. The budget totals $114,037,534, a $7,346,231 or 6.89% increase compared to the current budget. The budget plan does not incorporate any use of the district’s fund balance.
Smaller class sizes, a priority over the last four years, would continue under the proposed plan. Elementary classes (K-5) average 19 students per section; in grades 6-12, core courses average 21 students per section. Actual enrollment data and enrollment projections are used to adjust staffing levels for each grade level.
“Our students continue to rebound from the challenges of the pandemic, academically, socially and emotionally,” said Superintendent Jody Monroe. “Guiding them on this path to success are teachers and staff committed to the district’s mission of preparing all students to reach their potential, discover their purpose, and be engaged members of the community.”
The 2024-25 budget plan balances students’ needs against a backdrop of post-pandemic inflation. The proposed budget increase reflects higher costs of employee benefits (up $2,684,503, or 10.2%), including prescription medicines and retirement contributions. Budgeted salary costs are down by 1.1%, or $628,896 less than in the current year. The reduction in salary expenses are due to staffing reductions through attrition (a position is not filled following a retirement).
An increase in debt service costs (up $3,210,682, or 43%) is due to the 2021 Capital Project, which is nearing completion this year, with more than 180 improvements across the district. The debt service increase is partially offset by an increase in anticipated state building aid, which is expected to increase by $1,683,160, or 46%.
Click here for more information on what’s new in the proposed 2024-25 BC budget.
Proposed tax levy increase is 3.25%, below the allowable tax cap
The proposed 2024-25 budget includes a tax levy increase of $2,303,572, or 3.25%. The amount is below the district’s maximum allowable tax levy increase under New York state’s tax cap calculation (5.29%).
The tax levy is the total amount of taxes the district plans to collect in 2024-25, $73,128,537. The amount is used to determine the tax rate. Estimated tax rate changes for the Town of Bethlehem and the Town of New Scotland cannot be determined until after town assessment roll data are finalized on or about July 1. The tax rate is the amount a homeowner pays per $1,000 of assessed property value. Tax rate changes often differ between towns because of equalization rates set by the New York State Office of Real Property Services and changes to the total assessed property values in each town.
The district sets final tax rates in August, after the budget is approved and after the towns finalize assessment figures and the state confirms equalization rates.
Bus proposition seeks six new vehicles
New York State law requires the district to receive voter approval to borrow money for capital expenditures, such as bus purchases.
A bus proposition will appear on the May 21 ballot as a separate proposition from the school budget.
The proposal would allow the district to purchase six vehicles, including three 70-passenger electric buses and three small gas-powered buses for student transportation, at a cost not to exceed $1,225,000. This amount is estimated to be the maximum cost of the six vehicles after receiving grants and before state aid. Approximately 66% of the borrowing cost for the purchase is covered by state aid, resulting in a final cost to the district of roughly $416,500 for the six vehicles.
The expenditure of funds on the three electric vehicles is contingent on voucher/grant funding, expected to total between $159,250 and $300,000 per EV bus depending upon the district’s success in securing federal and/or state funding. The proposed purchase of the EV buses continues the district’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and would help the district meet the state’s EV bus mandate.
New York State is requiring school districts to have a fully electrified bus fleet by 2035. If grant funding is unavailable for the electric vehicles, the district would purchase only three gas-powered vehicles this year under this proposition.
2024 Bus Purchase Reserve Fund proposition
To allow the district to save for future bus purchases, voters will decide on a proposition to create a bus purchase reserve fund.
If approved, the district could set aside up to a maximum of $15,000,000 (plus interest earnings) over 15 years to pay for buses and related equipment and expenses. This reserve fund would allow the district to save money incrementally to help meet the state’s mandate for a fully electrified bus fleet by 2035.
Use of the bus purchase reserve fund would require voter approval.
Board of Education election
On May 21, residents will also elect two members of the Board of Education. The board members will be elected to serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2024.
Residents who are interested in serving on the Board of Education have until Monday, April 22 to submit nominating petitions. Information about running for the Board of Education can be found here.
If there are more candidates than open seats (2), the League of Women Voters will host a Meet the Candidates event on Wednesday, May 15. The slate of candidates will be announced on Tuesday, Apr. 23.
Voting information
The budget vote and board election will be held at Bethlehem Central High School on Tuesday, May 21 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Gym A. To vote, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the Bethlehem Central School District for at least 30 days prior to the vote.
As always, voters who will be out of town or unable to vote at the polls due to illness or disability may apply for an absentee ballot. New this year is early ballot voting for any qualified school district voter.
Early ballot voting is available as a result of the new state Early Mail Voter Act, effective January 1, 2024. Early voting is possible without any reasons needed for voting early. Similar to absentee ballot voting, you must fill out an application to vote early. There are separate applications for early voting or absentee ballot voting, but the application process and deadlines are the same for both.
If the application requests that a ballot be mailed to the voter, it must be received by the district clerk no later than 7 days before the election. An application personally delivered to the district clerk must be received by the district clerk no later than the day before the election. Applications may not be submitted more than 30 days prior to the election. Completed ballots must be received by the school district clerk by 5 p.m. on the day of the election.
Return your completed ballot application to Brittany Barrett, District Clerk, Bethlehem Central School District Educational Services Center, 700 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY, 12054, (518) 439-7098. If you have questions, please email voterinfo@bethlehemschools.org
Budget hearing and budget newsletter
The annual budget hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. in the middle school Library Media Center. The annual BCSD budget newsletter will be in mailboxes approx. 7-10 days before the vote on May 21.