Public schools are among the most significant investments made by any community. District leaders work to make the most effective use of resources to benefit students while developing a budget that is accountable to taxpayers in a responsible and transparent manner. The Phelps-Clifton Springs Board of Education adopts a budget each spring for the coming school year that is put to the community for vote held on the third Tuesday in May. (See community budget presentations, items on the ballot and more below.)
Proposed $36,295,087 budget, bus purchases, bus reserve fund, board seats, library funding (separate from district budget) up for community vote.
Also on May 21:
- Lacrosse Boosters Chicken Barbecue, 4-7 p.m. $10.
- Class of 2019 Chem0Free Grad Party can/bottle fundraiser, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Budget Development Calendar (2019-2020)
The development of the 2019-2020 budget will follow a process similar to that of recent years. Presentations on specific departments/areas will be presented to the Board in advance of the presentation of the overall budget for consideration by the Board. View the 2019-2020 budget development calendar.
Schedule Of Community Budget Presentations
On Tuesday, May 21, voters in the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District will decide on a $36,295,087 budget for the 2019-2020 school year. A series of presentations staff will be held over the next weeks to give the community and district staff an opportunity to learn more about the budget proposal and propositions appearing on the ballot.
The following is a schedule of community meetings. School and classrooms visits have been communicated separately.
Clifton Springs Rotary: Noon, May 7, Clifton Springs Hospital.
American Legion: 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, American Legion Post 457.
Budget Hearing: 6 p.m. Monday, May 13, Board of Education Room (103) Midlakes Primary School.
Midlakes PTO: 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, Board of Education Room (103) Midlakes Primary School.
Voter Eligibility
District residents qualify to participate in the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District vote, according to state law, provided they are:
- A U.S. Citizen
- At least 18 years old
- A district resident for at least 30 days
*There are no property requirements to vote.
Absentee Ballots
Absentee applications may be obtained between 8 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, from the District Clerk. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk by May 14, 2019, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or on the day before the election if the ballot is to be issued to the voter in person. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Questions regarding voter eligibility and absentee ballots should be directed to District Clerk Sarah Butler at (315) 548-6420.
Items On The 2019 Ballot
PROPOSITION NO. 1: 2019-2020 SCHOOL BUDGET
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District is authorized to expend the total amount of $36,295,087 during the school year 2019-2020, and to levy the necessary tax, therefore, in accordance with the Education Law and the Local Finance Law.
PROPOSITION NO. 2: SCHOOL BUS PURCHASES
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District is hereby authorized to purchase two (2) 65-passenger school buses, and one (1) 19-passenger bus at a total maximum estimated cost not to exceed $304,339 and to pay such sum as may be necessary from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund.
PROPOSITION NO. 3: 2019 BUS PURCHASE RESERVE FUND
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District is authorized to establish a reserve fund, to be known as the 2019 Bus Purchase Reserve Fund, for the purchase of school buses in an ultimate amount not to exceed $3,000,000. The Board is further authorized to pay into the fund (1) in the 2019-20 school year and annually thereafter available funds of the District in an amount determined by the Board and (2) to the extent determined appropriate by the Board for the purposes of the fund, state aid reimbursement to the District on account of bus purchases and the proceeds of the sale of used buses, and (3) such other monies as the voters may direct, and to levy the necessary tax therefor. The fund shall have a probable term of 10 years.
PROPOSITION NO. 4: FUNDING COMMUNITY LIBRARIES
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District is hereby authorized to assess and levy upon the taxable property of the District the sum of $162,920 annually to be contributed to the support of the Clifton Springs Library in the amount of $81,460 and to the Phelps Community Memorial Library in the amount of $81,460 and pay over said amounts to the trustees of those libraries.
