On Tuesday, May 16, New Hartford Central School District residents will vote on a $62,818,363 proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year. The proposal carries a 1.7 percent tax levy increase. The board of education has worked closely with district administration to develop a budget that supports the district’s strategic plan and provides for the needs of all students while maintaining the fiscal responsibility owed to the community at large. We believe that the proposed budget accomplishes all of these important goals.

The proposed budget includes:

• Resources to support innovative instructional programs and opportunities for students. The 2023-24 education plan continues the excellent course offerings and extracurricular activities that have helped to make New Hartford one of the leading districts in the state and nation. Class sizes have been kept at traditional levels to promote quality instruction.

• Resources to support and enhance curriculum such as professional learning opportunities and materials for K-12 educators, State Education Department initiatives and Curriculum Review and Development Cycle for K-12 mathematics.

• Furniture replacement in K-12 art classrooms district-wide.

• Opportunities for high school students to receive additional learning support.

• The addition of a social worker to support student services and the social, emotional and mental health of students.

• Instructional support and coaching for elementary classroom teachers, curriculum support specialist in math/science, and technology integration specialist K-12.

• Resources to continue participation in several BOCES services to support the following: 1:1 technology devices for students, students with special needs, enhanced vocational technical education, communications, safety, student support and bullying prevention programs, and Connected Community Schools program. In addition, the budget supports the continuation of the school safety officer contract.

• Participation in consortiums of school districts will continue to help minimize energy costs, workers’ compensation, transportation and technology costs. The district continues to successfully participate in innovative models for organizational sharing that result in reduced costs of school operations. It also readily explores grant monies to fund initiatives.

• A school bus purchasing proposition at a total cost not to exceed $683,007. The proposal includes the purchase of three 66-passenger buses, one 30-passenger bus and one 7-passenger suburban, which would replace four of the district’s current buses that have reached the end of their useful life.

• A comprehensive review of all revenues and resources was performed. This exercise, in conjunction with a spending plan, yields a projected tax increase of 1.7%. The average tax increase over the past ten years is below 2%. The proposal represents the final year of the NYS Foundation Aid phase-in plan, which provides districts, such as ours that have been underfunded for years, with full funding. Therefore, we anticipate receiving an increase of approximately $3.3 million in Foundation Aid for the 2023-24 year. In addition, we anticipate an increase of approximately $1.36 million in other state aid categories.

The 2023-24 proposed budget was developed with the premise of supporting the district’s strategic plan while simultaneously providing a good value to the taxpayer with minimal impact on the tax levy and remaining within the tax levy limit. This budget will allow the district to continue to provide exceptional educational programs that enable students to excel as lifelong learners and leaders.