Budget & Finance

School Budget Information

About the Annual School Budget Vote

In New York state, local school boards must annually develop a balanced school budget proposal and put it up for a public vote on the third Tuesday in May. This year's school budget vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

District expenses may include salaries and benefits, curriculum, staff development, facilities maintenance and operation, transportation and debt service. Revenue includes state funding, federal funding, property taxes and appropriated fund balance.

SchooL Budget Questions & answers

Budget Preparation Calendar

2024-25 School Year

December

Staff Begins Budget Preparation Process.

December 18

Requisitions Due Pertaining to Standard Supplies, Instructional Supplies, Equipment, and Other Supplies.
Cafeteria Plan Submitted
Health Office Plan Submitted
Operation and Maintenance Plan Submitted
Interscholastic Sports Plan Submitted

January-February

Department and Grade Level Meetings to Discuss Curriculum and/or Staffing Needs.

February

Pupil Population Predictions Computed

March

March 1

Submit Calculation for Tax Levy Limit to Office of State Comptroller

March 3

Board of Education Meeting
Budget Development Session

March 17

Budget Development Session

March 28

BOCES Commitment Forms Due

April-May

Budget Presentations

April

April 4

First Publication of Notice of Budget Vote and Elections

April 7

Board of Education Meeting
Budget Development Session
Possible Budget Adoption

April 28

Tax Report Card Submitted to State Ed & Local Paper

April 29

Board of Education Meeting – Budget Adoption If Not Adopted April 7
Last Day for Filing Petitions for Board Vacancy – April 21
Vote on BOCES Administrative Budget and Board Seats – April 29

April 30

Budget Distribution Begins

May

May 6

District Budget Hearing – 6:00 PM
Board of Education Meeting

May 7

Budget Notice Mailed

May 20

Annual Vote - 1-8 p.m.

June

June 23

End of Year Meeting

2024-25 Budget

Hermon-DeKalb voters approve $14.4 million budget, elect two board members

On May 21, Hermon-DeKalb Central School District voters approved the district’s $14.4 million 2024-25 budget proposal, elected two board of education members and approved the purchase of one school bus and one van. The budget proposition passed 157 to 22.

District-related propositions

A $14,420,973 budget for the 2024-25 school year that increases spending 1.11% ($158,522) and carries a tax levy increase of 2.99%: 157 yes; 22 no
Purchasing one new 65-passenger school bus and one 8-passenger van at an estimated maximum cost of $250,000: 153 yes; 25 no

Board of Education Election

Five candidates sought election to two open board of education seats.

Both terms will last five years, expiring June 30, 2029:

Michael Mac Cue (Incumbent): 94 votes (winner)
Ronald Smith (Incumbent): 72 votes (winner)
Rebecca Fenlong 56 votes
Kiera Warner 56 votes
Dale O’Donnell 41 votes

The terms all begin July 1, 2024.

Library proposition

Hepburn Library of Hermon tax collection, in the additional amount of $30,000 for a new total of $40,000 annually: 118 yes; 58 no

New York state education law allows libraries to place a funding proposition on school district ballots and requires school districts, at the libraries’ requests, to levy and collect taxes for libraries. The Hepburn Library of Hermon is a separate legal entity from the school district, with its own funding and budget.

Supporting 2024-25 budget documents

2023-24 Budget

May 2023

Hermon-DeKalb voters approve $14.26 million budget, elect three board members

On May 16, Hermon-DeKalb Central School District voters approved the district’s $14.26 million 2023-24 budget proposal, elected three board of education members and approved the purchase of two school buses. The budget proposition passed 160 to 24.

District-related propositions

A $14,262,451 budget for the 2023-24 school year that increases spending 5.2% ($705,326) and carries a tax levy increase of 1.90%: 160 yes; 24 no
Purchasing two new school buses at a total cost not to exceed $370,000: 158 yes; 25 no

Board of Education Election

Four candidates sought election to three open board of education seats.

Two terms will last five years, expiring June 30, 2028:

Michael Robinson : 138 votes
Ross Putman: 136 votes

One term will last two years, expiring June 30, 2025:

John Wright: 105 votes

The terms all begin July 1, 2023.

Library proposition

Hepburn Library of Hermon tax collection, $10,000 annually: 143 yes; 42 no

New York state education law allows libraries to place a funding proposition on school district ballots and requires school districts, at the libraries’ request, to levy and collect taxes for libraries. The Hepburn Library of Hermon is a separate legal entity from the school district, with its own funding and budget.

Supporting Documents

Voter Information

Eligibility

To be eligible to vote, you must be:

a citizen of the U.S.
at least 18 years of age
a legal resident of the district at least 30 days prior to the vote
registered to vote in the general election or at a previous district special registration

Registration

If you are not a registered voter for the general election through the county, you may register specifically with the Hermon-DeKalb Central School District for school votes only by contacting the district clerk.

Can I vote early or by absentee ballot?

Absentee ballot voting is available. The new Early Mail Voter Act effective Jan. 1, 2024, also allows for early voting via mail without any reasons needed for voting early. You must fill out an application to vote by early voting or absentee ballot. There are separate applications for voting by early voting or absentee ballot, but the application process and deadlines are the same for both.

To obtain an application or for more information, call the district office at 315-347-3442.

If you would like a ballot mailed to you, your application must be received seven days prior to the budget vote. If you plan to pick up your ballot, your application must be received one day prior to the vote. The completed ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.

Contact Us

Kimberly Fuller
Assistant School Business Manager
kfuller@hdcsk12.org
315-347-3442