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 our students for the future.

Budget development calendar 

Members of the community are encouraged to attend Board of Education Meetings and Budget Work Sessions, which begin at 6:30 p.m. in Joe Bena Auditorium. The following calendar outlines the budget development process.

Please note : March 30, 2020 update to the calendar:

Annual school budget and board of education votes are postponed statewide until at least June 1, under an executive order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19/Coronavirus.
In delaying the votes, which were originally scheduled for May 19, the governor’s executive order said, “Any school board, library board, or village election scheduled to take place in April or May of 2020 is hereby postponed until at least June 1, 2020, and subject to further directive as to the timing, location or manner of voting for such elections.”
The order also said, “Circulation, filing, and collection of any designating petitions, or independent nominating petitions for any office that would otherwise be circulated or filed pursuant to the Election Law, Education Law or any other consolidated law for any office commencing March 31, 2020 are hereby postponed.”
DCS will keep district residents updated as information is received.

• Late fall: Board of Education (BOE) reviews Budget Planning Calendar
• December 10, 2019: BOE adopts calendar.
• January 14 & 28, 2020: BOE meetings and budget discussion
• February 11 BOE meeting & budget work session Feb. 11 Draft budget presentation  
• March 10: BOE meeting & budget work session  Mar. 10 Draft budget presentation
• March 24: BOE meeting & community budget presentation March 24 Draft budget discussion – text   March 24 Draft budget presentation
• Spring-June: BOE meetings and community budget presentations continue, via remote broadcast when needed
• To Be Announced (TBA): Board of Education candidate petitions accepted
• TBA: Legal notices placed in local newspapers
• TBA: BOE adopts proposed budget, submits Property Tax Report Card to SED & local newspaper within 24 hours of adoption
• TBA:  Last day to submit BOE candidate petitions for terms beginning July 1, 2020  for: two 3-year terms for seats currently held by Camille Siano Enders and Jennifer Sexton, and one 1-year term for the seat currently filled by Henry “Dirk” Felton due to the resignation of Joshua Menzies
• TBA: Drawing for BOE candidates ballot positions
• TBA: Special BOE meeting in central office to vote on BOCES administrative budget, at time to be determined
• TBA: BOE meeting and public budget hearing (presentation of adopted budget), adopted budget then made available to public
• TBA: Absentee Ballot applications available, deadline set 
• TBA: Meet the BOE Candidates Night, sponsored by the PTA, 7 p.m., Joe Bena Auditorium
• TBA: Budget notice and newsletter mailed to all district residents
• TBA: Annual budget vote, 1-9 p.m., location to be announced, followed by brief BOE meeting to announce vote; approved budget will be posted on website

2019-20 budget news

Voters approve budget, propositions, elect 3 to Board of Education

Duanesburg Central School District residents approved the proposed $17,365,000 budget for the 2019-20 school year on May 21, 2019 by a vote of 292 to 82, which is a 78 percent approval.
Bus proposition approved
Voters also approved a proposition to purchase three gasoline-fueled school buses, a 65-passenger bus, a 71-passenger bus and a 21-passenger wheelchair-compatible bus, at a cost not to exceed $290,000, by a vote of 299 to 75, which is a 79.9 percent approval.
Three elected to Board of Education
Deborah Grier was re-elected to the Board of Education and Dianne Grant was elected to her first term on the Board; both will serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2019. 
Henrietta (Hank) Dunn was elected to the Board and will serve until June 30, 2021, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Board Member Joshua Menzies.
Budget details
The $17,365,000  budget for the 2019-20 school year increases spending by $215,000 (1.25%) over the current year’s budget and includes a 0.0 percent (no) increase the tax levy. With no increase, the tax levy change is below the district’s maximum allowable levy increase (“cap”) of 0.44 percent, and so the proposed budget required a simple majority (50 percent plus one vote) for approval.
What the budget will fund
The largest portion of the proposed budget, more than 74 percent, will fund educational programs and services. The largest share of the budget increase for 2019-20 will cover instructional costs, including salaries and benefits, as well as programs, including the addition of Advanced Placement courses in biology and capstone seminar/English at the high school, and a teacher aide at the elementary school.
Costs are also expected to rise for energy and facility maintenance and improvements, and the proposed 2019-20 budget will cover replacement of a 15-year-old work-truck/salter/plow.

Resources 
Budget Presentation to Board May 7, 2019

Duanesburg Central School District Proposed 2019-20 Budget Documents
These documents include approved 2018-19 revenue and appropriations budgets and proposed 2019-20 revenue and appropriations budgets, property tax report card, school academic report card link (https://data.nysed.gov), audit reports, salary disclosure, and exemption reports.  

For more budget information and resources, visit the budget resources webpage. 

For assistance accessing any of the documents on this website, contact the DCS central office at (518) 895-2279.

Audit Report

An annual audit of district financials is conducted each fall of the prior year’s expenditures and financial condition.
Duanesburg Financials 2019 Audit Report

Reserve Fund Report

The reserve fund report is an annual document showing the status of reserve funds that are established by the district.
Reserve Fund Report 2018-19 year
Reserve Fund Report 2017-18 year

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.

Archival info: 2018-19 school year budget