At its meeting on April 9, the BKW Board of Education adopted a proposed budget of $23,255,186 for the 2018-19. BKW Superintendent, Dr. Timothy Mundell, presented the spending plan, which included an additional $97,000 of Foundation Aid as a result of the NYS Budget settlement on March 31.
School Administrators and the Budget Advisory Committee have been meeting since last summer to develop the 2018-19 budget, and Dr. Mundell made budget presentations to the Board of Education at the February and March Board meetings. The additional funding was allocated to Instructional Technology in order fund a device initiative to be rolled out in the 2018-19 school year as the district pursues an aggressive technology plan as part of its annual goals.
The more than $23 million spending plan represents a 2.64% increase in spending over the 2017-18 budget, and carries a 1% tax levy increase. The budget includes the addition of a full day Pre-K program and fully funded elementary after school program, as well as funding the grades 3-12 device initiative. “We continue to add programs and opportunities for students at minimal cost to our community”, said Dr. Mundell.
The 1% tax levy increase moves the levy to $11,055,383; $109,459 above the 2017-18 budget. The levy increase covers the increase in cost for the Pre-K program, which is $120,000. “For $1.60 per month to the taxpayer with a home assessed at $100,000, we will be able to provide early academic intervention for our 4 year olds, supervised after school activities for K-6 students, devices for all students in grades 3-12, add new college credit bearing courses and new Ag Science courses at the high school, and maintain all programs we have established in the district over the past three years.”
The budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 15, from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. in the Secondary Auditorium. Residents will also vote on a bus proposition to purchase two 66 passenger buses and three Suburbans. There is also one seat up for election on the Board of Education. Qualifying candidates will be on the ballot as well.