Mr. Scott Amo Superintendent of Schools 518.563.8250 x5519 Mrs. Joanne Menard Secretary to the Superintendent 518.563.8250 x5501

A Message From the Superintendent
April 2010

Dear School Community Residents:

 One needs only to review the news out of Albany over the past several months to be reminded how unusual a year it has been! As of this writing, the Governor and legislature have yet to agree on a state budget and this directly affects the development of our school budget for 2010-2011.  In addition, school districts across the state have been dramatically affected by the economic downturn in the State’s overall economy forcing many districts to reduce staff, reduce/eliminate programs, and raise taxes to support planned school programs and services. However, the Beekmantown Central School District has prepared a budget that does not include the elimination of any positions, curtailment of existing programs or services, or increases in the school tax levy or tax rate. In the public presentation held on the proposed budget held in the high school auditorium on April 6, 2010, I shared several reasons why our proposed budget can reflect these conditions.

Increased State Aid

The Governor’s proposed reduction in state aid for Beekmantown Central School District (GAP Elimination Adjustment) was $1,132,925.  As a district, we began planning our budget for 2010-11 on the premise that this would be the state aid reduction facing our district.  However, state aid figures released from Albany also indicated that our district would receive increases in state aid in a number of categories, including Foundation Aid $126,892, Excess Cost: Public and Private $119,504, Transportation Including Summer $326,360, Building Aid $225,617, and BOCES & Special Services $203,845.  The net effect of the state aid picture at this time is that the district is scheduled to receive $133,344 less in total state aids.

Commercial Property Assessments

We are extremely fortunate that our community has attracted several business enterprises that have chosen to build or expand businesses in the Beekmantown Central School District assessment boundaries.  Over the recent years, some have participated in PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Agreements which have resulted in additional revenue for our district. Once these PILOT Agreements have concluded, these businesses are placed on the tax rolls at full assessed value. We are anticipating a $23 million dollar increase in commercial property tax assessments for the 2010-11 school year. 

Undesignated Fund Balance

For the past several years, the Board of Education has applied the use of monies from undesignated fund balances in efforts to contain increases in tax levies and tax rates otherwise needed to fund increases in school costs. These balances are the result of lower than expected expenditures (such as diesel fuel or heat costs) at years end, increases in state aid revenue as a result of an eventual approved State budget, and other revenues. The Board is again applying undesignated fund balance monies to positively affect the proposed tax levy and tax rate for 2010-2011.

 On May 18, 2010, school district residents will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed school budget of $37,458,259 for 2010-2011. This budget reflects a commitment to quality programs and services while remaining vigilant to fiscal responsibilities.  As a result, the proposed school budget will represent a 1.09% increase in overall spending, a 1.89% decrease in the school tax levy, and a $0.664 decrease from the 2009-10 tax rate to a new rate of $15.69 per thousand.  In addition, the public presentation on the proposed budget is available for viewing in PowerPoint as well as in Flash format on the district website by clicking "HERE".

 There are many events scheduled in the remaining weeks of this school year that you will not want to miss, including: extra-curricular activities, an honors banquet for students in the top ten (10%) of their graduating class, school assembly programs, graduation ceremonies, and much, much more!  Dates and times for these events will be listed in school newsletters as well as on the district-wide calendar and individual school web sites.  As always, I welcome your feedback and comments on matters of interest to you.  I can be contacted by phone at 324-2999 or by email at amo.scott@bcsdk12.org at any time.

Sincerely,

Scott A. Amo
Superintendent of Schools

District Budget Newsletter 2010 (pdf file - 348 KB)

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