2009-10 Budget
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Click on the links below Budget Information
Voter Information
Board of Education Tax Information
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Top 10 Things To Know
1. 1:
Saratoga Springs
City School District is ranked #8
in the Capital District Business Review and has been
in the Top 10 for the past four years.
It is the top-ranked city school district of the 85
districts in the Capital Region. The ranking is
based on New York State assessment results and
graduation rate. Bob Wise, from The Alliance for
Excellent Education states that “The best
stimulus package is a High School diploma.”
2.
2:
The
Business Review ranked Saratoga Springs City School
District #73 out of 92 districts for its
expenditures per pupil and taxes on a home assessed
at $300,000 in 2008. The district has the lowest true value tax rate of the 13 districts
in the Suburban Council.
3.
3: The
financial condition of the school district is strong.
It is rated A1 by Moody’s. Recently, the district
bonded buses at a 1.9% rate. A NYS Comptroller’s
audit in 2007 reported no findings and solid
controls in place, which was achieved by only 5% of
school districts in New York State. 4. 4: The Saratoga Springs City School District has been actively seeking cost containment for the past several years. Examples include:
· A 300 district consortium to purchase supplies results in an annual18-22% savings; · Reduction in energy costs in all facilities through prior and current capital projects. · Controlling fuel and utility costs by using state contracts and locking in pricing for gas and electric up to two years in advance · Auditing phone lines and utility bills.
1. 5: The school district enrollment has been stable for the past 15 years - 6,800-7,000 students.
2. 6: The school district budget is funded approximately 28% by New York State, about 3% by Federal grants, and 64% by property tax levy and has a 4% fund balance. This is due to our Combined Wealth Ratio. A district with a CWR of over 1 is considered a high wealth/high income district. The district’s CWR is 1.15. The tax levy accelerates at double the rate of budget-to-budget; every new dollar of budget is funded 10¢ by the State and 90¢ by local property owners. This ratio continues to reduce the state proportion each year.
3. 7: The state aid reduction proposed by the Governor for 2009-10 is $3.4 million or about 3% of the budget. The total budget for the district in 2008-09 is $107,353,350. The total budget-to-budget increase last year was 2.94%. This reduction in revenue will necessitate cost containment measures ($32,490,000 to $29,200,000).
4. 8: This fiscal reality is projected to be a 3-5 year situation. The impact of the New York State fiscal crisis on the retirement systems indicates additional expenses in 2010-11 and 2011-12. A long-term strategy is being developed, balancing modest subsidy from existing reserves and reduction in expenses over the next three years.
5. 9: Several strategies are being implemented to proactively address the fiscal reality. · Community forums to increase awareness, understanding and gather input · Reductions in budget lines across all departments · Review all positions/programs · Develop process and strategies for long-term reduction in expenses.
6. 10: Central core mission is to preserve quality education. Our academic standing cannot be compromised. The economic stability and potential growth of the region is in part due to the strong educational program. It is a characteristic that draws economic development to the region. Three of the top 10 school districts were in Saratoga County. The support of the community has been one reason for the consistent strength of the district both academically and fiscally.
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