Please allow me to begin this year’s budget letter with a brief update on the capital project that our community graciously approved in May 2022. At the end of March 2023, we finally received approval of the project from the NY State Education Department. Work will begin this summer. Below is the current timeline for the renovations:
Summer 2023 through the end of the 2023-2024 school year
- Elementary classroom renovations (floors, ceilings, lighting, bathrooms)
- Soccer field resurfacing
- Exit behind athletic fields onto North Street
- Parking lot resurfacing
Though not part of the capital project, the playground will be upgraded and an outdoor basketball court will be installed. (these are grant-funded)
Spring 2024-Summer 2024
- Library renovation
- Nurse’s Office renovation
- Some door and window replacements
- Upgrade PA, clock, alarm systems
- Some roofing replacement
- Some flooring replacement
We are excited about the impending upgrades for MCS.
As always, this year’s budget process was guided by the goals set for the District by the Board of Education. You can review our Board goals on our website at https://www.madisoncentralny.org/board-of-education/index.
The first item on the ballot for your consideration will be the proposed 2023-24 budget. Highlights of the budget include:
Total adopted budget of $12,410,918, a 6.43% spending increase over 2022-23
Increase in State Aid of $591,351, an increase of 8.34%. Since the State budget has not yet been passed as of this writing, this is an estimate based upon the Governor’s proposed budget.
A proposed tax levy increase of 5.47%
Please note that the increase of 5.47% is inflated by the addition of the Munnsville windmills on the tax rolls for the first time. Previously, the District received a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) from the company that owns the windmills.
The 5.47% increase in tax levy is broken down, approximately, as follows:
The second item on the ballot for your consideration will be the proposed creation of a $1,000,000 capital reserve.
This will allow the District to begin saving for future capital improvement projects.
The third and final item on the ballot will be the vote to fill one (1) Board of Education seat. The name of the candidate for the Board seat will appear on the ballot as follows: Brett Reiter
Our Budget Hearing will take place in our Auditorium on May 2, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. We will also hold a budget presentation at the Knoxboro Town Office Building on May 9, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. We encourage you to attend one of these informational sessions. The annual budget vote will occur at Madison Central School on May 16, 2023 from noon until 8:00 p.m.
On behalf of the Board of Education, our students, faculty and staff, thank you for your continued support for MCS as we strive to move our district forward. Go Blue Devils!
In partnership,
Jason A. Mitchell
Superintendent of Schools