Fulton City School District proposes $88.49M budget, 2.99% levy; officials outline staff and extracurricular cuts

Fulton City School District officials on Feb. 2025 presented a proposed $88,487,583 budget for the 2024–25 school year that would raise the district's tax levy by 2.99% and go before voters on May 21.

The proposal, read at a public hearing at Fulton Junior High, combines state aid ($62,948,724), federal aid ($225,000), pilot payments and miscellaneous revenues, and an appropriated fund balance of $592,225. Dr. Neecey, who led the budget presentation, said the district's planned revenues match the proposed expenditures and that the budget as presented is balanced.

Why it matters: The proposed levy increase affects homeowners directly and funds a district that officials say must respond to lingering COVID-era recovery needs, high chronic absenteeism and investments in programs such as expanded full-day universal pre-K, dual-enrollment and mental-health supports.

Key details and context

- Proposed levy and household impact: Officials said the proposed tax-levy increase is 2.99%. Using a $200,000 assessed value as an example, the district estimated the increase would be about $116 per year (approximately $9.75 per month) after an estimated basic STAR exemption.

- Revenues and balance: The presentation listed total proposed revenues of $88,487,583 and showed the district intends to use $592,225 from fund balance. State aid and federal stimulus dollars were presented as major revenue sources used to support interventionists and expanded programs.

- Ballot items: District staff read four propositions on the ballot: Proposition 1—authorization for the general fund appropriation of $88,487,503 for 2024–25; Proposition 2—a separate Fulton Public Library tax of $518,220; Proposition 3—vote for two candidates for the Board of Education (Jennifer Meadville, David Cordone, Frank Castilla, Lori Prahl); and Proposition 4—a library trustee item with candidate Kathy Peterson. The vote was announced for May 21, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with two polling sites (District 1 East Side; District 2 West Side).

- Programs and priorities: Presenters tied the budget to district priorities: a strategic coherence plan (learning, wellness, life pathways), community eligibility for free meals, early childhood expansion, expanded interventionists (K–8), a Therapeutic Early Intervention pilot classroom, and capital improvements for safety and security.

Reductions and proposed savings

Officials detailed a package of reductions intended to limit the levy increase and shore up future years. Highlights included:

- Administrative reconfiguration: Staff said three administrative positions (including the deputy superintendent and the director of STEAM) will be reconfigured into two roles, creating an executive director of STEAM and moving the director of humanities to an executive director role; the district estimated roughly $110,000 in savings from that reorganization.

- Contract and service changes: The district plans to conclude an $86,000 consulting contract (PLC Associates) and reduce the Peaceful Schools contract by about $50,000. Staff noted shifting some services to BOCES could restore aid on those contracts (an example figure of roughly 87% aid was cited), which officials said can materially reduce net cost.

- Athletics and extracurriculars: The overall athletic budget was described as about $798,800; officials said proposed athletic cuts would save roughly $50,000–$60,000, including about $30,000 in equipment reductions and targeted reductions in assistant-coach postseason pay. The district identified two clubs with no attendance that would be eliminated, saving approximately $12,000; staff emphasized that adviser stipends and coach stipends are set by contract and vary by activity.

- Staffing cuts and adjustments: Examples discussed included not replacing a three-year instructional-coach position and standardizing hours that staff estimated could lead to a $120,000 reduction in a given category. Presenters gave an example per-aide salary of about $22,000, noting benefits vary.

What officials said

Dr. Neecey summarized the numbers and the levy proposal: “The proposed tax levy increase is 2.99%.” On household impact he said, “It's about a $116 increase per year, which equates to about $9.75 per month for household at a $200,000 assessment.” A district official addressing transportation said the district will postpone bus purchases this year while awaiting New York State guidance on electric buses and related state evaluations.

Community questions and board discussion

Several residents and board members pressed for line-item clarity and multi-year projections. Board members requested more granular presentations by function (for example, showing district treasurer and administrative salary lines year to year) to better visualize where specific savings and changes occur. Staff said the budget is reviewed year-round and that a budget workshop would follow the public session for deeper review.

Next steps

The budget propositions and board-candidate votes are scheduled for May 21 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at two district polling locations. Officials said additional budget workshops and ongoing discussions will continue through the spring to refine multi-year planning and prepare for projected fiscal gaps.

If you have questions, the district asked the public to contact the superintendent's office or the business office (the hearing included a published contact phone number).