Salem Central board posts $70.89 million budget for June revote, chooses 2.9% levy

The Salem Central School District Board of Education voted unanimously to post a proposed 2024–25 budget of $70,894,277 with an anticipated tax‑levy increase of 2.9%, to allow a second public vote required by state law.

The superintendent said the district faces a compressed timetable set by New York State and that the revote must be scheduled for June 18. “Our vote will be on June 18,” the superintendent told the board while outlining publication deadlines and steps the district must take to meet the state’s timetable. The business office reported updated revenues that include an additional $76,463 in state and foundation aid and a $28,000 small‑rural‑schools grant that helped lower the amount under consideration.

Why it matters: The board’s first budget proposal, a 6.9% levy, failed on the initial ballot. State rules require a public notice and a second vote before a revote can occur; if the second vote also fails the district must adopt a contingency budget limited to last year’s levy level, which the business official said would produce roughly $143,000 in additional cuts under the contingency scenario.

Board members and administrators described tradeoffs that remain under a 2.9% levy. The business official explained the arithmetic behind the options: with revised state aid and staffing assumptions, the district trimmed expenditures and relied on confirmed grant funds to make the 2.9% posting feasible. The board’s motion to adopt the 2.9% amount for publication carried 5–0.

Public comment at the meeting illustrated the community stakes: one resident noted the first ballot received “a little over 58%” in favor of the 6.9% plan and questioned the shift back to 2.9%. The superintendent and business officer repeatedly cautioned that time is short to produce the required legal notices and to prepare materials for voters.

What’s next: The district will publish the required budget notices in the Eagle and hold the required hearing in the next week; the second public vote will occur under the state timetable on June 18 unless changed by the state or by the board’s further action.