Irvington Offers School Budget Preview

Irvington Schools hopes to maintain the village’s investment in the school district, while offering a fiscally responsible budget that preserves district programs, activities and facilities for the 2013-14 school year, according to the district's preliminary presentation on a maintenance budget.

Please note that none of the following numbers presented are final and are subject to change. The superintendent will present his budget on March 5, while the board plans to adopt a plan on April 23 before taxpayers have the final say when they vote on May 21. 

The district anticipates expenses to rise by $1.7 million ($1,741,198) in the coming school year. This is attributed to increases in pension contributions, health insurance, tax refunds known as tax certioraris, transportation and special education costs. The district, however, was able to reduce its debt service payments by $561,472 or 12 percent. 

To cover the district $52.9 million ($52,897,198) cost in expenses—the district anticipates using $400,000 of its fund balance, $4.8 million ($4,812,422) in revenue (an increase of $8,986 from the 2012-13 budget) and levy the remaining $47.7 million ($47, 684,756) in taxes.

The current estimates for the 2013-14 budget would put the district $1.7 million ($1,679,570) over the state mandated tax cap. While these numbers are preliminary, the district may end up having to make cuts in programs and services and/or find savings through shared services, energy conservation and other efficiency measures.

The district will continue to analyze the school budget over the coming months. The budget process calendar is as follows: 

• Tuesday, Jan. 8: Board of education meeting – budget presentation on business office, debt service, insurance, athletics, buildings and grounds, transportation
• Tuesday, Jan. 22: Board of education – budget presentation on special education/pupil personnel services
• Tuesday, Feb. 5: Board of education meeting – budget presentation on curriculum, instruction, textbook, and technology
• Tuesday, Feb. 12: Board of education – budget discussions, draft of school calendar
• Tuesday, March 5: Board of education – presentation on superintendent’s proposed budget
• Tuesday, March 19: Board of education – work session for budget discussions
• Tuesday, April 23: Board of education – budget adoption
• Tuesday, May 7: Board of education budget hearing, followed by regular meeting
• Tuesday, May 21: Budget vote 

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