SCS Budget, Buses Approved

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie Central School District voters Tuesday approved a $28.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year by a count of 182 to 127. They also approved the purchase of two new buses, an increase in the library tax, and elected three school board members.

The budget has a spending increase of 2.35 percent – or $649,738 – from the current year. Under the fiscal plan, the tax levy will increase by 2.95 percent or $256,675. This is below the state mandated tax levy cap. The tax levy increase is in line with the current 2.95 percent inflation rate, district officials said.

Nearly 70 percent of the year-to-year increase in the budget is due to increases in employee benefits costs. The rest is due largely to a $204,531 increase in debt service payments.

In order to cut spending in the budget, reductions in the spending plan included:

* Reduction of three full-time equivalent positions at the Elementary School.

* Reduction of one FTE administrator.

* Reduction of one FTE position, business teacher in the high school.

* Reduction of one FTE position, Special Education teacher in the elementary school.

SCS officials said the reductions were due to declining enrollment.

The reduction of an administrative position will result in the district having to reorganize its administration team.

Votes also re-elected Tara Barton and Daniel Guasp to the Board of Education, while newcomer Emily Gigandet is taking the third seat currently held by Terry Burton, who did not seek another term. There were no other candidates. Ms. Barton received 219 votes, Mr. Guasp had 207 votes and Ms. Gigandet got 243 votes.

Schoharie residents also approved a proposition to increase the annual tax levy for the Schoharie Free Library Association from $146,000 to $161,000 by a vote of 195 to 115. A second proposition on the ballot asking voters to authorize the purchase of two 66-passenger buses, in an amount not to exceed $340,000 was also approved. These would be standard buses and not electric buses. That proposition was approved by a vote of 193 to 117.