Board adopts proposed $21.8 million budget with no tax levy increase

The Fort Plain Board of Education adopted a proposed $21,875,000 budget for the 2021-22 school year at their April 14 meeting. The proposed budget would maintain all academic programming with no increase in the tax levy.

The proposed budget is an increase of $500,000, or 2.34%, over the current-year budget, but does not raise the tax levy, as funds would be allocated from increased state aid to cover school faculty and staffing costs, as well as adding offerings such as summer and after-school enrichment.

When district residents vote on the proposed budget on May 18, they will also consider a referendum authorizing the district to acquire school vehicles at a maximum cost of $275,000, with the funds to be drawn from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund. The purchase would not have an impact on the tax levy, and would allow the district to replace aging buses and minimize maintenance costs.

Voters will also elect two members of the Board of Education for three-year terms running from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024, to succeed Mary Beth Hudyncia and Kimberly Keane, whose terms expire on June 30, 2021. Petitions to run for the Board can be picked up at the District Office and must be returned by April 19.

“Our goal is to always put forward a responsible budget that maintains high quality programming. This year, we can achieve this with zero impact on the tax levy,” Superintendent John Bishop said.