Tag: budget development
2025-26 school budget development underway
On February 5, 2025, Superintendent Lauren Crisman and Finance Director Philene Hudson presented a draft plan for the 2025-26 school year budget to the Fort Plain Board of Education.
The budget proposal preserves all academic programs and staffing, and includes funding to ensure our schools are safe, welcoming and enriching places for students and staff to learn, work and grow.
“This year’s budget provides support for initiatives that align with our enduring goals. We continue to think creatively about how we can best serve our community’s youth and provide them with an education and enriching experiences that prepare them for the future.”
Items under consideration in the draft 2025-26 budget include:
- The purchase of curricular materials that align with the statewide literacy initiative and will support each of our students in gaining proficiency with essential English Language Arts (reading, writing and communication.)
- Continuation of funding for BOCES services to support our students. For 2025-26, this will include the reintegration into the Distance Learning Consortium, which offers our high school students the opportunity to participate virtually with expanded and unique coursework and advance placement offerings.
- Support for experiential learning opportunities in the region to promote career exploration.
Voters will also consider a proposition to purchase three school buses (one 72-passenger and two 24-passenger) for approximately $400,000 as part of the district’s continual renewal of its transportation fleet. This would be paid for from bus purchase and capital reserve funds and will have no impact on the 2025-26 tax levy.
Proposed 2025-26 budget: At-a-Glance
The total for the draft budget is now $24,000,000 with anticipated revenue from all sources equaling this amount.
The proposed spending plan carries a tax levy increase of 1.00%, which remains below the district’s state calculated limit or “cap” of 5.15%.
The proposed budget would increase September school tax bills by an estimated* $10.87 for those with a property assessed at $100,000 and basic STAR – and – $3.90 for property owners with Enhanced Star.
*Calculations are based on prior year assessed values and equalization rates and subject to change.
Upcoming budget presentation and vote
The budget development process will continue through the spring with opportunities for the public to learn more.
The next presentation to the Board of Education on the 2025-26 budget is April 10.
A public hearing on the proposed 2025-26 budget will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in the District Office Conference Room, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, NY.
The school budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Elementary School Library at 25 High St., Fort Plain, NY.
At that time, district residents will also vote on two open seats on the school board. Board of Education petitions are now being accepted. Contact District Clerk Becky Smith for more information, 518-993-4000 ext. 1000.
Additional information about the annual budget process, including budget presentations, voting and tax information, can be found on the Budget page of our website.
New Year greetings and Feasibility Study updates
A joint board meeting on Jan. 16, 2025 offers the community the chance to learn about the findings of the Canajoharie/Fort Plain Merger Feasibility Study. Learn more in this letter to the community from Fort Plain Superintendent Lauren Crisman:
Dear Fort Plain Families and Community Members,
Happy 2025! I trust this letter finds you well. As we enter into the new year, I am excited at the prospect of what lies ahead. This is a time period where we can embrace a sense of possibilities and set intentions for the future.
2025-26 school budget-making process begins
Throughout January, several important activities will occur in our district. As is tradition, we will begin planning the school budget for the 2025-26 school year. That process involves assessing the district’s revenues and expenditures as related to staffing, materials and equipment. In addition, we review our needs and determine budget priorities that will best support our mission of preparing every student for success beyond graduation.
Feasibility Study updates
As many well know, this year FPCSD engaged in a Feasibility Study to examine the long term sustainability of our district as well as the possible benefits and challenges associated with potentially merging with Canajoharie CSD.
The local school teams in collaboration with the consultants have carefully analyzed critical data points including operational efficiencies, financial records and student performance and program data. Using that data, the consultants have compiled a comprehensive report. The Boards of Education for both districts and the community will now have a chance to review the contents of the study.
View the resources related to the Canajoharie and Fort Plain Merger Feasibility Study.
Learn about the Feasibility Study findings – Jan. 16
There will be a joint meeting of the school boards on Jan. 16, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Canajoharie High School Auditorium where the consultants will present their findings. I invite you to attend this meeting, which is open to all interested members of the public.
Thank you for your continued support. Take good care!
Sincerely,
Lauren Crisman
Superintendent of Schools
Public hearing on 2024-25 budget and Board of Education meeting – May 8
The Fort Plain Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on May 8, 2024 following the public hearing on the proposed 2024-25 school year budget, which begins at 6 p.m.
The public hearing and regular board meeting will take place in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room in the District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
View the FPCSD Board of Education – May 8, 2024 meeting agenda.
A springtime message and updates from Superintendent Lauren Crisman
Greetings Fort Plain community members and Happy Spring! It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of the third marking period already.
Learning in our school community
I am continually impressed by the positive attitude and diligent work ethic our students display during each and every school day.
Learning is a lifelong process that requires curiosity, dedication and often hard work. Our classroom lessons are rich with meaningful and enjoyable learning experiences. It is encouraging to see our students using our many school resources to achieve their learning and personal goals.
Our teaching and school teams are committed to promoting student and family engagement in our curriculum and school community. We hope our actions inspire students to attend school daily and aim toward academic achievement and growth. To this end, we have in place a series of prevention strategies and intervention resources to support students, particularly those at risk because of chronic absenteeism.
As professionals, we also take the concept of lifelong learning to heart and continue to study and grow ourselves.
At Harry Hoag Elementary School, our teachers are learning about the Science of Reading and employ proven literacy learning strategies daily to teach our students.
At the Jr./Sr. High School, teachers continue to expand their knowledge about what best motivates teen learners and regularly promote student advocacy and peer leadership opportunities. Examples include the newly reinstated Jr./Sr. High School peer tutoring program and events, such as the 8th Grade Family Night and the Pops Concert, designed to bring our school community together.
School Resource Officer Program update
At the start of this school year, Fort Plain schools implemented the School Resource Officer Program in partnership with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Nick Manginelli has been a welcome addition to our school community. Again this year, Deputy Manginelli led sixth grade students through the D.A.R.E. curriculum, helping them learn to make health decisions and life choices.
Deputy Manginelli also coordinated ALICE training for our faculty and staff to improve our school safety response systems. Additionally, he meets monthly with our District Safety Team, which works to ensure a secure and safe campus. New this year, and as a result of our collaboration, several upgrades have been made to the building level safety plans and crisis response protocols. Too, a portion of equipment funding has been allocated for upgrades to our surveillance equipment.
2024-25 school year budget development
Spring is also the season when our community comes together to vote on our district’s budget for the next school year. One important aspect of school budgeting is ensuring that the budget aligns with the school district’s goals and priorities.
The Board of Education has identified five enduring goals:
- Improve safety in our schools.
- Improve student learning outcomes.
- Build and maintain trusting relationships with students and their families.
- Support social and emotional wellness for all school community members.
- Ensure responsible and strategic use of fiscal and human resources to best support the needs of our students.
The school budget is the biggest investment the community collectively makes with its tax dollars. The leadership team works to make sure the budget reflects support for our enduring goals. The proposed budget will allocate funding for resources that will be used to promote learning, improve emotional well-being, and promote the enhancement of all school programs. It is our goal to develop the proposed budget in a responsible and transparent manner to the taxpayers.
May 21, 2024 is the date for this year’s school district budget vote and Board of Education election.
Please visit the 2024-25 Budget resource page to learn more about this year’s budget development process and news. Updates will be added to this page and to the Budget section of the website as they become available.
Thank you for your support!
I hope you each find time to visit our schools this spring. We have so many wonderful activities planned such as an Art Show, A Minute to Win It night hosted by the PTA and the traditional spring concerts and school musical. Please look for details about these and much more in your Parent Square feed, on our district website and social media channels.
Thank you for all you do to support our efforts and those of your children. Your ongoing support of Fort Plain Central School District plays a crucial role in our ability to ensure all students are prepared for success beyond graduation.
Fondly,
Mrs. Crisman
Superintendent of Schools
2024-25 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.
Updates and resources related to the 2024-25 budget process will be added to this page and the Budget section of the website as they become available.
School Budget Vote – May 21, 2024
Each spring, the board of education adopts a budget for the coming school year for a community vote. New York state has designated the third Tuesday in May as the date for school budget votes.
This year, the school budget vote and board of education election will take place on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The vote will be held at the Harry Hoag Elementary School Library from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please mark your calendars and be sure to vote!
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.
Opportunities to learn about the school budget
Since the start of the year, district administration and the Board of Education have been at work developing a budget for the 2024-25 school year. The goal is to maximize the district’s resources to create a fiscally responsible budget for the district’s academic, athletic and extracurricular programs and essential services in order to meet students’ needs.
- Public Hearing – Transportation, Building/Grounds and Instructional Program Budgets, 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in the conference room of the District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
- Public Hearing – Proposed 2024-25 Budget, 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in the conference room of the District Office.
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 May 21, 2024, the day of this year’s vote.