Budget

School Budget Development

The school budget is the biggest investment the community collectively makes with its tax dollars. District leaders work to make the most thoughtful and effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner and to be accountable to taxpayers.

2024-25 School Year Budget

Voters approve 2024-25 school budget, elect three to Board of Education

On May 21, Fort Plain Central School District residents voted to approve a $23,844,000 budget for the 2024-25 school year by a vote of 239 to 65.

Voters also approved a referendum by a vote of 225 to 79 authorizing the district to purchase three school buses at a maximum cost of $450,000. A referendum to allow the Fort Plain Library to increase its annual taxpayer supported appropriation from $85,000 to $100,000 was also approved by a vote of 229 to 77.

Additionally, voters elected three individuals to fill vacancies on the Board of Education: Sara McDuffee (247 votes), Neal VanSlyke (201 votes) and Joshua Parkinson (158 votes).

Board of Education adopts proposed 2024-25 proposed budget

During its regular meeting on April 17, 2024, the Fort Plain Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a proposed $23,844,000 budget for the 2024-25 school year.

The school budget represents an increase in spending of $524,000, or 2.25%. over the current year budget. The spending plan will allow the district to maintain all current academic programs and personnel, and will provide for additional supports and learning opportunities for students.

Under this proposal, the tax levy would increase by 1.43%, which is below the district’s allowable tax cap of 3.43%. Because the tax levy increase remains below the district’s allowable limit, as determined by the state’s tax “cap” formula, a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) is needed to pass the budget.

Learn more about proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year.

2024-25 school budget development timeline

January-March 2024 – District administration and the Board of Education work to develop a budget for the 2024-25 school year
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 – Public Hearing on Transportation, Building/Grounds and Instructional Program Budgets at 6 p.m.; Regular Board of Education Meeting
April 22, 2024 – Deadline for petitions to run for the Board of Education – due by 5 p.m.
May 8, 2024 – Public Hearing to Present Budget, 7 p.m., Regular Board of Education Meeting to Follow Public Hearing
Early May 2024: Proposed Budget information mailed to district residents
May 21, 2024– Budget and Board Candidate Vote, Harry Hoag Elementary School Library, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

2024-25 school budget documentation

more Information on the 2024-25 budget

2023-24 School Year Budget

District residents approve budget and transportation proposition, elect 3 to Board of Education

Fort Plain Central School District residents voted to approve a proposed $23,320,000 budget for the 2023-24 school year by a vote of 88 to 21 on May 16, 2023.

They also approved a referendum by a vote of 90 to 17 authorizing the district to acquire three school vehicles at a maximum cost of $450,000 with the funds to be drawn from the Bus Purchase/Capital Reserve Fund. The purchase will have no impact on the tax levy and will allow the district to replace aging buses and minimize maintenance costs.

Voters elected three members of the Board of Education to fill vacancies for three-year terms running from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. The elected candidates are Brenna Kirkpatrick (96 votes), Anthony Crouse (86 votes) and David Przestrzelski (84 votes). Write-in candidate Justin Smith received one vote.

More information on the 2023-24 Budget

2023-2024 Documentation

School Taxes

School property tax rates are set in August for the upcoming school year. Tax rates are based on the total tax levy in the voter-approved school budget, the state-determined equalization rates, and assessment rolls for each town.

School property taxes are due Oct. 31 each year. Payments that are mailed must be postmarked no later than Oct. 31.

View your tax bill | STAR exemptions website

Budget Voter Requirements

U.S. citizen
School district resident for at least 30 days
18 years of age

District NYS Report Card

Early voting/absentee ballots

Early voting/absentee ballot applications may be obtained from the District Clerk, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Completed applications for ballots must be returned to the District Clerk at least seven days before the vote and election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the vote and election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Early/absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.

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