Budget details offered
Meetings planned to answer questions
MILTON, N.Y. >> The first of several scheduled meetings to discuss the Ballston Spa Central School District’s proposed 2017-18 budget proposal was held Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Milton Community Center.
The purpose of the meeting was to clarify details of the $90.34 million budget and to answer questions residents had regarding it. In addition to Dragone, Board Trustees Dottie Sellers and Mike O’Donnell, and Coordinator for Community Relations Stuart Williams, were on hand.
The 2017-18 budget represents an increase of 2.1 percent over the current budget and a 2.9 percent tax levy increase.
The average tax rate increase would be 0.6 percent. According to information from the district, the tax impact would be about $22 for an average single family home assessed at $225,000.
In addition to reinstating a full-time orchestra teacher, technology teacher, full-time teacher leaders and a part-time English language arts instructor, the proposed budget would maintain all
current district-wide athletic programs and continue to support the existing co-curricular and extracurricular programs at all grade levels.
The Milton presentation was the first of several meetings about the budget and the upcoming Board of Education elections that will also be voted on during the May 16, 2017 statewide vote. Those who missed the meeting in Milton will be able to attend informational sessions at the following locations, dates and times: May 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ballston Spa High School Library for “Meet the Candidates” night; May 3, 6:30 p.m., Mandated budget hearing at Ballston Spa High School Library; May 4, 6:30 p.m. Budget presentation at the Ballston Town Hall; May 8, Drop-in session from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the superintendent’s office; and May 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Malta Community Center for the final budget presentation before the May 16 elections.
Dragone also reminded attendees of the School Pride Day that is also scheduled May 16, with art displays and musical performances taking place at various locations throughout the day, followed by a community-wide barbecue at the high school.
Following the elections, the school district will be hosting its second annual “Scotties Stampede,” a 5K race to benefit innovative and mission-related programs throughout the Ballston Spa Central School District.
The race will take place on Saturday, May 20, starting at the Garrett Road Athletic Fields. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race goes off at 9 a.m. Participants can also register online at scottiesstampede.org. The pre-registration cost is $20 for adults and $10 for students. Race day registration cost is $25 for adults and $15 for students.
To learn more about the informational meetings as well as the upcoming events, residents can visit the website, www.bscsd.org or call the district office at 884-7195.