by Rachel Hunter
Gouverneur Central School District Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly presented the final budget proposal for 2022-2023 at the budget hearing on Monday, May 9.
The $41,316,007 budget includes spending increases in staffing, employee benefits, BOCES, equipment purchases and other items. The district is appropriating fund balance and using reserves to minimize the tax levy in the amount of $4,033,445. The tax levy is $6,787,112, an increase of 1.5 percent ($100,283). In the 2021-22 Budget Year, the tax levy was set at $6,686,829, a 2.94 percent increase ($90,677). The Gouverneur Central School District also anticipates a 5.35 percent increase in State Aid for a total of $30,093,545.
The budget was presented in three parts, as per Sections 207 and 2601-a of the Education Law and as amended by Section 15 of Chapter 171 of the Laws of 1996.
There will be a decrease in the administrative component of $238,124, for a total of $4,700,567, which represents 11.38 percent of the total budget. The administrative component includes expenses for office and administrative costs, salaries and benefits for certified school administrators who spend 50 percent or more of their time performing supervisory duties, data processing, public information, legal fees, property insurance, and school board expenses.
In the Program Component, the budget proposal calls for an increase of $2,290,643 for a total of $28,327,442. This represents 68.56 percent of the total budget. This portion includes salaries and benefits of teachers and supervisors who spend the majority of their time teaching, such instructional costs as supplies, equipment and textbooks, co-curricular activities and interscholastic athletics, staff development, and transportation operating costs.
In the Capital Component, the budget proposal calls for a decrease of $696,086, for a total of $8.288,998. This represents 20.06 percent of the total budget. This covers all school bus purchases, debt service on buildings, and leasing costs, tax certiorari and court-ordered costs, and all facility costs, including salaries and benefits of the custodial staff, service contracts, maintenance supplies and equipment, and utilities.
The financial impact on property owners is as follows: For those with a $60,000 home value, a $11.97 increase. The increase with Basic STAR is $5.98. The increase with Enhanced STAR is $0. For those with a $100,000 home value, a $19.95 increase. The increase with Basic Star is $13.96. The increase with Enhanced STAR is $7.54.
Gouverneur Central School District Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly said that the budget supports the District’s long-term goals, which were reported as follows: “Goal #1: Our first goal is to bring consistency to curriculum decisions across grade levels and provide appropriate professional development to support those curriculum decisions. Our primary focus will be on developing the foundational skills necessary for students to effectively read and write.
“Goal #2: Our second goal is to provide the social emotional support and academic opportunities necessary for all students to be engaged in school and find success.
“Goal #3: Finally, we will provide a continuum of Special Education services district-wide to support the needs of all our students.”
Supt. Kelly continued, “The proposed budget focuses on preserving the strong educational programming, safe and secure environments, and extracurricular activities that our community has supported over the years. This budget also provides for additional academic support for all students. This is a fiscally responsible and educationally sound spending plan that focuses on providing the academic supports necessary for all students to be successful. This budget will support needs created as a disruption to education due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the addition of: a Math Academic Intervention Services (AIS) teacher, two (2) Special Education teachers, an Art teacher, a Business teacher, and a Social Studies teacher.”
The Gouverneur Central School District Budget Vote and Board of Education Member Election will be held on Tuesday, May 17, noon to 8 p.m. at the Gouverneur High School. All voters are also encouraged to check out the GHS Art Show in the GHS Auxiliary gymnasium.
Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press are reminded that there are three seats open for the school board, and two incumbents’ names will appear on the ballot – Dr. William Cartwright and Naaman Lowry. The candidates’ biographical sketches can be found on the District website at gcsk12.org. As of press deadline this week, two candidates have informed the Gouverneur Tribune Press of their write-in campaign, Steve Jackson of Gouverneur and Mark Hendrick of Gouverneur. The vacancies will be filled by the three candidates with the most votes, to include any write-in candidates. For more information, visit gcsk12.org.