Carmel board holds budget hearing as administration presents 0% tax-levy proposal and safety bond

Carmel Central School District administrators presented the district's proposed 2024'25 budget during a public hearing on May 7, outlining revenues of $141,773,966, a recommended 0% tax levy and planned reductions intended to balance the $141 million plan.

Interim Superintendent McGrath and the business office walked the board and community through enrollment and demographic trends, reserves and fund-balance categories, and the district's revenue mix, saying New York State aid accounts for about 27.6% of revenues and local property taxes about 71.5%. The presentation included reserve balances (employee benefits, capital reserve, insurance reserve and an unassigned balance the administration described as roughly 4% of the operating budget) and the district's estimated maximum allowable tax-levy calculation.

Board and staff also described a capital proposal focused on safety and security: roughly $11.8 million in improvements that would fund door locks, camera and lockdown systems, security film, window replacement, emergency lighting and occupancy sensors. Administration said the measure is intended to use expiring debt service capacity to address facility security needs.

Trustees and members of the public pressed administration for clearer, analyzable financial records. Several speakers requested that three-year line-by-line expense spreadsheets and the district's working Excel documents be posted in formats the public can download and analyze. The business office agreed the requested three-year expense history spreadsheet could be published, while cautioning that current-year figures are still in process and will show open encumbrances.

Trustees described the budget as a starting point for next year's work and warned that, even with the current reductions, further cuts or structural changes may be required. Trustee comments emphasized that about 80% or more of the budget reflects salaries and benefits; trustees said the district must now develop plans to align staffing and program levels with declining enrollment.

The board also approved several budget transfers at the meeting to cover projected utility shortfalls and to fund maintenance overtime to install grant-funded instructional technology and camera wiring; that transfer was approved by roll call. Trustees said the transfers move funding from lines projected to be underutilized to those projected to be short by year end.

Next steps: the district reminded voters that the budget vote is scheduled for May 21 at district polling locations; trustees said conversations about program-scope and staffing will continue as administration prepares the final adopted budget for the coming fiscal year.