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.
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 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.
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. Specific dates for the 2019-20 school year will be posted once they are approved by the board. The following is a general calendar of the budget development process.
- Late fall: Board of Education reviews Budget Planning Calendar
- December/winter: Board adopts calendar, begins discussion of budget and parameter
- January: Board continues budget discussion and development
- February – March: BOE Meeting Budget Work Sessions
- Late March: BOE Meeting Community Budget Presentation
- April & May: Legal notices placed in local newspapers
- April: Board of Education adopts proposed budget, submits Property Tax Report Card to SED & local newspaper
- April: Special Board of Education Meeting to vote on BOCES Admin. Budget
- Spring: Board of Education candidate petitions accepted
- April: Drawing for Board of Education Candidate Ballot positions
- May: Absentee Ballot applications available, deadline set
- May: Meet the Candidates Night at 7 p.m., Joe Bena Auditorium, sponsored by PTA
- May: Budget notice and newsletter mailed to all district residents
- May: Annual Budget Vote/BOE Election; approved budget posted to website
Archival info: 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 included 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 began on July 1.
2018-19 Budget documents
These documents include budget appropriations, status report and the reserve fund report (audit report).
2018-19 Budget Presentation
This is a presentation overview of the budget that was adopted by the Board of Education at their April 17, 2018 meeting.
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 2018 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 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.