The Pioneer Board of Education has approved a general fund budget of $67,773,295 for 2024-25, which would raise spending by 3.14 percent and increase the property tax levy 2.89 percent.
The approval came despite the lack of a state budget agreement, which is more than two weeks overdue in Albany.
In giving the final presentation on next year's budget, Assistant Superintendent for Finance Anthony Montoro noted that the plan is based upon Governor Hochul's budget for education funding that she unveiled in January. Final state aid figures are unclear at this time, and any further adjustments will be made once next year's state budget is approved.
Mr. Montoro noted the proposed budget preserves all current programs and services, including Universal Pre-Kindergarten, the high school's Finance Academy and Agriculture program, Project Lead the Way, Career Tech, foreign language, music, athletics, Center for Positive Solutions, and other elective courses.
Mr. Montoro said the budget calls for a small increase in building/department discretionary budgets. The plan preserves extraclassroom and afterschool activities. Moreover, the spending plan carries a tax levy increase below the tax cap and "strategically positions us well for 2025-26."
Voters can get more information about the budget at the annual hearing on Tuesday, May 7, at 5:30 p.m. Candidates for the Board of Education will also be given a chance to make statements that evening. The annual budget vote and Board of Education election among qualified district voters is on Tuesday, May 21, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Pioneer High School.