The school budget
Today’s students are growing up in a global, complex and competitive society that demands much more than a basic education. It is the duty and mission of DCS to provide students with a depth and breadth of educational programs and services that equip them with the skills and knowledge to be college and career-ready. The district also seeks to balance the needs of the community we serve while addressing rising costs.
While budget planning takes on heightened focus from late winter until voting day in May, developing a school budget that both meets student needs and reflects community input is a year-long process. The district encourages the public to be a part of that process and help prepare students for the future.
The 2018-19 school year budget
On May 15, 2018, Duanesburg Central School District residents approved a $17,150,000 budget for the 2018-19 school year by a vote of 318 to 174, a 64.6 percentage of approval. The budget includes a 0.90% tax levy increase, below DCS’s 0.91% tax levy limit, and is a $832,500 (5.1%) increase over the 2017-18 school-year budget.
DCS voters also approved, by a vote of 333 to 160, a proposition authorizing the purchase of three passenger school buses at a maximum estimated cost not to exceed $270,000.
They also approved a proposition, by a vote of 329 to 162, authorizing the district to establish a capital reserve fund for the purpose of financing the construction of general improvements, reconstruction, renovations, or additions to the district’s buildings.
DCS residents voted for Shayne Mitchell, Joshua Menzies and Teresa Wood-Irvin to fill three vacancies on the Board of Education for three-year terms that begin on July 1.
For more budget information and resources, visit the budget resources webpage.
School Taxes
School tax rates are a function of the tax levy, property assessments and each town’s equalization rate — a percentage level set by New York state that compares property assessment in towns to real estate market value.
For more information about school taxes, including how to pay your bill and information about tax rates, visit the school taxes webpage.