Budget Documents

• 1-28-2025 Budget Update
• 2-11-2025 Budget Update
• 3-11-2025 Budget Update
• 3-25-2025 Budget Update
• 2-4-2025 Budget Workshop
• 3-4-2025 Budget Workshop
• 4-1-2025 Budget Workshop
• 4-8-2025 Budget Update
• 4-22-2025 Budget Adoption

Budget 2025: Community Questions and Answers 
The following are real questions from the FCSD Community to our Business Department. Have questions of your own?  Email us here.
 

1.) How can there be a discussion about the coming years budget when there has yet to be an explanation of the current year multi-million dollar gap that is resulting in layoffs? Those losing their jobs and the taxpayers deserve an explanation of what happened and who is responsible. Is accountability only for FTA members or does it apply to upper administration as well?

The greatest contributing factor to the budget gap is the increase in our healthcare costs beginning in 2022-23. Since then, our healthcare costs have increased by over 55%. Other operating costs such as gas and electricity have seen sharp increases as well. From 23-24 to the current year, gas has increased 36% and electricity 48%. We are projecting gas to increase an additional 20% in 25-26 and electricity around 12%. This along with the contractual increases each year have led to the budget gap we face. Additionally, our state aid and ability to increase the tax levy does not keep up with these growing expenses. We have used fund balance the past two years to cover higher than expected costs in healthcare and we are using reserves again in 2025-26. However, fund balance and reserves will become depleted, so this is not a long-term solution. We continue to look for solutions to healthcare costs as well as analyzing spending practices to help control the expenditure side of the budget. The accountability now rests with responsible spending practices and finding solutions to the expenses that are causing these gaps in the budget.

We have addressed the budget gap in several of our board meetings and board presentations as well as during budget workshops. The presentations are available in the list above.

2.) Will sports be cut?

The current budget prioritizes academic programs and extracurricular opportunities for students. As part of the budget process, all departments were asked to look for areas where they could reduce costs, but that could mean supplies or equipment. If the budget passes, then sports and other extracurricular opportunities continue to be funded. If the budget does not pass and the District moves to a contingency budget, then things like materials and supplies and extracurricular activities will have to be looked at and potentially reduced.

3.) What are the district’s current reserves? How does FCSD plan to use reserves for the 2025-2026 Budget?

We plan to use $3,850,000 in reserves toward the 2025-26 budget, drawing from the ERS, TRS, and Reserve for Employee Benefits and Accrued Liabilities.

4.) Can we know more about job losses as a result of the 2025-2026 budget?

Before reducing positions, the district looked to reduce spending in any areas we could such as supplies, contractual spending, BOCES costs, etc. When looking at reducing positions, we first looked at retirements and resignations and fair dismissals to limit the number of actual layoffs that will occur. We have been able to reduce that number to 3 actual layoffs of instructional positions (teaching positions) and 16 non-instructional positions. We will continue to see people resign and possibly retire all the way to the first day of the new school year, so we hope to see that number reduce further. We are also continuing to work with people whose position may have been reduced, but still have a job in the District to determine what might be the best match for their skills and talents. These are on-going discussions and we are trying to remain thoughtful and thorough as we navigate these challenges.

5.) What was the cost of moving offices to Fourth Street? What was the loss in revenue from discontinuing the rental of that floor to CiTi BOCES?

The only costs associated with moving to the Ed. Center was in the form of materials and supplies. There was no construction undertaken as part of the move and any work done (painting, etc.) was completed by Fulton employees. By occupying the second floor of the Ed. Center, the lease was reduced by approximately $93,000 for the 2024-25 school year. This returned valuable space to the students and staff at the Fulton Junior High School that had been occupied by offices.

6.) Are contractual salary increases something that is in our control?

We agree to multi-year contracts with each bargaining unit which includes annual salary increases. These agreed upon contractual increases must be factored into the budget each year. Unless a contract is up for negotiation, salary increases cannot easily be changed in the middle of a contract cycle. These are expenses we must plan for in each budget year.

7.) Are programs such as languages, art, music, and sports being cut as part of the budget?

The budget the District is proposing continues to fund all of our academic programs and extracurricular activities. While we did find it necessary to reduce several positions, we were able to maintain our academic programs as well as extracurricular opportunities for students.

8.) Will students’ supplies be purchased by the schools or will families purchase their own supplies?

Materials and supplies is an area that is reduced in the 2025-26 budget. The District will be able to purchase some student supplies for elementary students, but very basic supplies. Other supplies may be purchased by families or obtained through community opportunities such as Stuff A Bus. If families need assistance finding resources for school supplies, we encourage them to call their individual buildings and we will be happy to help.

Additional questions? Email us here.