Home

. . . . .

2008-2009 Budget
May 20, 2008

Budget Vote Results
.......

On May 20, 2008 Schenectady voters approved the $154 million
2008-2009 Budget Proposal:  856  yes votes   |   487 no votes.

The budget includes funding to continue current academic programming as well as increases in required costs such as contractual increases and energy. The budget also includes $7 million in which spending is dictated by the Contract for Excellence. 

Budget highlights include:

• A $3.6 million reduction in anticipated expenditures due to the closing of the International Charter School of Schenectady. In the past, the district has allocated roughly $7 million a year for charter school tuition. District officials estimate that ICSS students who return to the city school district or attend other schools can be educated at roughly half the cost of the tuition that was paid in previous years.
   
• A $7 million increase for the Contract for Excellence. While the district is receiving a roughly $14 million increase in state aid, half of that is Contract for Excellence funding—money that MUST be spent on new programs and services for students. While an extensive list of potential Contract for Excellence programs has been generated, the Board of Education and district administration are still working to finalize what these new programs will be. Look for future communications on Contract for Excellence programming in the district.
   
• Funding for new educational space. As the district’s enrollment tops 10,000 students and new students are coming to the district from the International Charter School of Schenectady, officials are making plans to lease additional educational space. Details on this new space are still being finalized, but $400,000 has been included in the budget for this purpose.
   
• A $7.2 million increase in contractual obligations and funding to support mandated Contract for Excellence programming.
   
• A $1.2 million increase in BOCES costs. This is attributed to a rise in the number of students attending BOCES programs, such as occupational education, alternative education and special education, as well as increases in BOCES tuition costs.
   
• A $800,000 increase in special education costs. This is related to increased enrollment and tuition costs for private placements.
   
• A $670,000 decrease in revenues other than state aid due to the sluggish economy and declining interest rates.

......................................

Board Seats
3 - Year Terms
Lisa Russo re-elected (852 votes)
Jim Casino re- elected (799 votes)
Gary Farkas elected (788 votes)

.......