16-05-2025
St. Lawrence Central asking for voter approval of $31.7 million school budget
May 16—BRASHER — St. Lawrence Central School District voters will be asked to approve a $31.7 million budget that carries a 3.25% tax levy increase and increases overall spending by 0.45%.when they head to the polls on Tuesday.
"This year's tax levy increase of 3.25% is below the allowable tax cap of 4.50% set by New York state for our district for the 2025-2026 school year. The total local tax levy increase is $178,045," Superintendent Christopher W. Rose said.
District residents with a home fully assessed at $100,000 would see a tax increase of approximately $5.90 per month or $70.75 per year before the STAR exemption.
"The previous five-year average tax increase for our district has been .942% — less than 1%," Rose said,
He said state aid accounts for 76% of the district's overall revenue and, when the initial state aid runs were released, they had received an increase of 4.55%, or $726,004 in foundation aid. That, he said, will help maintain their programming.
"If approved, this year's budget will continue to do everything possible to provide the best overall educational experience we can for our SLC students. We will continue to focus heavily on maintaining the current academic programs we have built, while also finding ways to be that 'central-hub' that is so needed with non-academic support also," Rose said.
He said the proposed budget will also allow the district to add positions, including one additional full-time Autism Room teacher (one teacher and two additional teacher aides) in the elementary school.
"We are currently over capacity and BOCES has no programs available for us to send our youngest children to," he said.
They would also expand their current high school and middle school dean of students from 66% to 100%, add a half-time curriculum coordinator to focus on grades kindergarten to five, and add a half-time indirect reading consultant for all four kindergarten classes daily. Rose said that will allow them to catch reading deficiencies at the earliest ages.
"By ensuring this, we will continue to build a solid educational community where 'all students can attain their maximum potential in the future,'" he said.
The district will also use $100,000 to undertake a capital outlay project.
"We receive 98% state aid on this investment and are able to make yearly facility improvements for only $2,000 after reimbursement. This year's capital outlay project will focus on the middle school/high school building. We plan to replace the large outdoor freezer that holds frozen items for the entire district's food service," Rose said.
They're also asking voters to approve the purchase of three 65-passenger buses at a cost not to exceed $675,000, with the state paying 90% of the cost of the buses and interest over a five-year payback period.
"With trade-in value and New York state aid, the total cost of the above new buses will be no more than $67,500," he said.
Two board of education seats will also be on the ballot, with Sarah Ashley and Seth Belt seeking another term.
The budget vote will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the middle school gymnasium.
