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2023-2024 Budget Calendar
On Monday, April 17, 2023, the Greenwich Central School District Board of Education will adopt the proposed 2023-2024 budget of $24,125,324. This plan represents an increase of 3.50% from the approved budget in 2022-2023 of $23,309,400.
Revenue to offset the additional expense budget will come from state aid and property taxes. State aid is projected to provide a 3% increase in foundation aid. Total state aid is projected to increase by $290,637 over prior year proposed state aid. The maximum allowable tax levy is calculated at 3.04%. The District is proposing a 1.96% increase or 1.08% ($128,850) under the tax cap. Total increase in tax levy at a 1.96% would be $234,527. In doing so, we carefully considered the ability of NYS to fund schools in the future, one-time expenses, managing and maximizing grants in the federal funding, and our strategic fund balance plan.
2023-24 School Budget at a glance:
- 2022-2023 budget: $23.31 million
- 2023-2024 budget (proposed): $24.13 million
- Spending increase: $815,924, 3.50%
- 2022-2023 tax levy: $11.97 million
- 2023-2024 tax levy (proposed): $12.20 million
- Tax levy increase: $234,527, 1.96% (cap is 3.04%)
- Ballot propositions (refer to Notice of Public Hearing below for details)
- Equipment Proposition - spend up to $380,000 to purchase two (2) 71-passenger school buses and one (1) pickup truck with plow. Expend $220,000 from the Capital Reserve and issue bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $155,000.
- Library Proposition - to increase the appropriation to support the Greenwich Free Library from $106,044 to $112,535 and the appropriation to support the Easton Library from $45,190 to $47,956 annually.
- Board of Education Election:
- To elect a five year term commencing July 1, 2023 and expiring June 30, 2028, to succeed Heather Mattison whose term expires on June 30, 2023.
Vote: MAY 16th. from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Greenwich School Primary Gymnasium.
PLEASE NOTE: CHANGE OF ENTRY POINT THIS YEAR!!
Please use the entrance at the north end of the gymnasium and not the main entrance to the school.
Notice Of Annual Meeting, Budget Vote and Election
Click here to see what's on the BALLOT
2023-24 Budget Proposal
Supplemental Reports
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Board President's Remarks
When I first joined the Board of Education more than 10 years ago, I was surprised at how lightly attended our public meetings were. Beyond district administrators and board members, the audience generally consisted of the local reporter for The Eagle Press and a now-retired staff member. That was it. Unless, of course, there was talk of program cuts due to budget constraints.
Fortunately, this year's budget allows us to maintain program. It also benefits from more active community involvement, with residents challenging us, as a board and as a school district, to account for the current economic climate and its impact on taxpayers when forming the 2023-2024 budget.
The result of this feedback and the hard work of the district administration team is the enclosed budget proposal. It is responsible, sustainable, and allows us to continue to deliver a top-notch educational program for our community. Also, for the second year in a row, it holds property taxes below the allotted cap.
As a community we are fortunate. Our administration year-after-year delivers an academic program that is challenging, enriching, and diverse. Our teachers are talented, dedicated, and inspiring. Our support staff creates an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and safe. And our facilities are the envy of many schools-large or small. As a result, GCS students are engaged and driven. More than 80 percent of our students participate in extracurricular activities, and academically, we are among the top performing schools in the Capital Region and beyond.
None of this is possible without community support. Whether it is voting to approve the budget, funding a capital improvement project, nurturing unbelievable kids who lead in our schools and beyond, or cheering them on as they achieve dreams often bigger than they ever dared to dream, you-the taxpayer-are there for them.
On behalf of the Board of Education, thank you. A lot of work goes into developing the budget in a way that ensures your hard-earned money is being directed exactly where it should be-into creating the most impactful educational experience possible for the students in our community.
GCS has a proud tradition of excellence. What we also learned over the past year, with more public involvement during our meetings, is that we have a culture worth protecting and preserving. With respect, dignity, targeted investment, and an unabashed celebration of achievement, we will do just that.
With gratitude,
Michael Conlin
President, GCS Board of Education
BUDGET VOTE RESULTS
Annual Budget Proposition 322 Yes to 116 No
Equipment Proposition 323 Yes to 112 No
Greenwich Library Proposition 326 Yes to 111 No
Easton Library Proposition 335 Yes 104 No
Five-Year Term: Heather Mattison 334, 52 write-ins.
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