Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District administrators have been providing the board of education with frequent updates as the 2025-26 budget development process continues. During Monday’s regular board meeting, School Business Administrator Brian Bartlett explained that it’s possible the state budget won’t be approved prior to April 21, the date the board needs to adopt the district’s budget proposal. This means the district may need to use current projected state aid numbers to finalize its $75.3 million dollar spending plan.
Like many districts across the state, Jamesville-DeWitt is facing financial challenges while developing the proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year. Even though the district is projecting an increase in revenue of 3.07% compared to 2024-25, it’s not enough to cover rising costs which are projected to increase by 5.56%. Some factors contributing to this include inflation, rising health care premiums and other insurance costs, along with contractual obligations.
“The district is recommending the use of fund balance and reserves to offset some of these rising costs, which is akin to using the district’s savings account. These are rainy day funds that have been set aside for situations such as this. This is a temporary solution that can help us navigate the next few school years and explore other options moving forward,” explained Bartlett. “Using these funds will also give us some flexibility while awaiting the adopted state budget.”
Administrators worked through these budgetary challenges with the district’s new 2-year strategic plan in mind. The proposed budget would maintain programming and aims to support the plan’s mission to provide a holistic educational experience that nurtures the academic, social, and emotional growth of every Jamesville-DeWitt student. This would be achieved by focusing on three areas: academic excellence; enhanced student and family experience; and safe and efficient operations.
The district is using key data such as enrollment figures and student needs to determine where staffing reductions or additions may be required. The proposed budget would add one full-time equivalent (FTE) English as a New Language teacher as well as a part-time Secondary Band (music) position based on student needs and enrollment in these areas. The district plans to reduce approximately six positions consisting of three FTE teaching positions, one FTE teaching assistant, one FTE food service worker and one FTE clerical position through attrition rather than layoffs.
Recent budget presentations also outline projected revenues, including state aid. The district’s largest aid category, foundation aid, is currently projected to increase by 6.03% from $12,187,166 in 2024-25 to $12,921,594 in 2025-26.
Another important factor in budget development is the tax levy, which is the total amount of money collected from district property owners to support the budget. The state-imposed tax levy limit will allow the district to raise 1.96% or $888,019 more than in 2024-25. Because the proposal is within the district’s tax levy limit, a simple majority of voters would need to approve the budget for it to pass. One source of additional revenue for school districts is to surpass or “override” the tax cap formula which requires a supermajority approval of 60% from the community. The district is not pursuing an override at this time.
“We understand the tax levy can be confusing. When property assessments go up, school districts are not collecting additional money beyond the amount outlined by the tax cap formula. We’re very attune to the persistent inflation and its impact on our community. Before the district would consider a tax cap override, we would want to gauge the community’s feelings about it first,” explained Bartlett. “We plan to use an exit survey at the budget vote that will ask voters about their support for a potential future override along with other topics that will assist in budget development going forwards.”
The ballot will also include a bus replacement proposition for $782,319 and a Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville funding proposition for $1,653,321.
The board of education will have three seats up for election. Petitions are available through the district office for anyone interested in running. Please contact Tish Hauser at the district office, 315-445-8304 or thauser@jd.cnyric.org.
The budget vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at the J-D High School gymnasium from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. in the high school Large Group Room.
If you would like to learn more about the 2025-26 proposed school budget, please visit the district’s Budget and Finance webpage.