GLOVERSVILLE — Fulton County’s largest school district could raise taxes by nearly 2% in the next fiscal year.
Proposed is a $74,997,794 budget, which would expand Gloversville Enlarged School District’s tax levy from $15,752,539 to $16,059,925 in an effort to support well-nigh $1 million in new spending.
The 1.33% expenditure bump — about three points lower than last year — will require approval from a majority of GESD voters come May 21.
“We don't take anything for granted,” said GESD Superintendent David Halloran. “We try to be as fiscally responsible as possible with their money.”
The budget accounts for increased costs in utilities, instruction, Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES administrative fees and insurance. Approximately $73,000 would fund the addition of a second school resource officer.
Also included in the spending plan are funds to expand GESD’s math academic intervention services and literacy coaching program. The latter program was developed two years ago.
“It's working well and we need to build on those successes,” Halloran said.
This year marks Halloran’s fifth budget proposal since he arrived at GESD in 2018. The superintendent, which earned more than $190,000 in the last fiscal year, is at the helm of a five-school system accounting for 2,467 students in the surrounding city, the town of Johnstown and Bleecker.
Enrollment and attendance have been a challenge for the district. Within the last 12 years, enrollment has dipped more than 15%. Since COVID-19, chronic absenteeism has plagued GESD.
“Certainly, we're keeping our eyes on the conversations in Albany regarding recalibration of foundation aid based on attendance and then enrollment,” Halloran said. “That's something that could certainly have a large impact on Gloversville in the years ahead.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul decided to withdraw changes to foundation aid which would allow funding to be based on enrollment amid bipartisan pushback from the legislature. The Democrat, however, appears adamant on making major changes to the formula next year.
For now, foundation aid is up just under $2 million, GESD Treasurer Cathy Meher said at a recent school board meeting. State transportation aid is up slightly under $900,000 and building aid is down $2.5 million.
Approximately $391,000 in fund balance dollars — leftover revenue — will be used to tie the budget together.
Another $367,000 will be transferred to offset the local share of debt. This year, $1,874,000 total will be shaved off the debt service.
“It's a pretty significant amount, but obviously, we budget for that because when you do capital projects, there's always the ebb and flow of debt service,” said Halloran.
Among other changes, GESD will take over busing from HFM BOCES for the first time in 11 years. The shift stems from Greater Johnstown School District’s decision earlier this year opting to replace transportation services and thus abandoning an agreement involving both Glove Cities districts.
It’ll cost $3.2 million run services in-house, about $600,000 less than outsourced services in the 2023-24 fiscal year. All transportation expenses will be 90% funded, according to Meher.
Separate from the budget, the school board put up a proposal to purchase three 66-passenger buses from capital reserves for $504,858. There’s also another proposition to authorize the purchase of $325,000 in promethean boards and laptops from the reserves.