School budget, BOE vote is May 21

By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

Residents of the Baldwinsville Central School District will head to the polls Tuesday, May 21, to vote on the district’s 2019-2020 budget and select three candidates for the BCSD Board of Education.

According to the proposed budget, the district’s appropriations for 2019-20 total $109,651,972, which represents a 2.23% increase over the 2018-19 total.

The tax levy is $57,687,869, which meets the tax cap of 2.32% calculated by New York state. Other revenue is as follows:

• Estimated state aid (including BOCES): $39,130,734

• Building aid: $4,417,868

• Appropriation from fund balance: $2,658,525

• Appropriation from reserves: $1,902,222

Also on the ballot

In addition to the general budget (Proposition I), voters will be asked to decide on the following:

• Proposition II, Student Transport Vehicles: The district wants to purchase 10 student transport vehicles and one Suburban-type vehicle at a total maximum cost of $1,134,923. This is part of BCSD’s annual fleet replacement program.

• Proposition III, Equipment Purchase: The district is proposing the purchase of one Cat loader and one Ventrac landscaping/snow plowing machine for the new transportation center. The total maximum cost for these items is $213,000 and will be paid for with existing capital reserve funds. There is no tax impact for this proposition.

• Proposition IV, Capital Reserve: The district would like to establish a new 10-year capital reserve for construction and improvements to district buildings, grounds and facilities as well as for the acquisition of machinery and equipment. This reserve is not to exceed $5,000,000. The existing capital reserve will come to term in 2024.

• Proposition V, Board of Education Candidates: Three seats are up for election. Check back next week for candidate information.

Voter information

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the Baker High School Auditorium.

To be eligible to vote, you must be:

• 18 years of age or older

• A citizen of the United States

• A resident of the BCSD for 30 days prior to the vote.

Absentee ballots can be obtained by calling the district office at 315-638-6055 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Budget hearing is May 14

Voters can meet the BOE candidates at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, in the cafeteria of Durgee Junior High School. Each candidate has five minutes to introduce themselves and speak about why they want to serve on the school board.

The budget public hearing immediately follows at 7 p.m. May 14.

For more information about the 2019-20 budget, visit bville.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=1858.

The budget newsletter is available here.