BCSD: Budget keeps tax levy increase below 3 percent

Summary of transfers and adjustments in the proposed BCSD 2025-26 budget made to reduce the tax levy increase to 2.99 percent. BCSD GRAPHIC

By  JEFF MORRIS

After a unique budgetary development season that broke with a lot of past norms, the Bedford Central Board of Education was presented with the superintendent’s proposed 2025-26 budget at its March 26 meeting. And while they did not adopt it at that time — nor were they expected to — it was clear from the reaction that nobody had a problem with it.

Before presenting the budget, Superintendent Robert Glass introduced his new interim assistant superintendent for business, Linda Carlin. Carlin stepped into the role that, until just a month earlier, had been filled by Thomas Cole. Cole resigned suddenly after presenting an initial “as is” version of the budget Feb. 26. 

That budget iteration was part of a new process and schedule that Glass and Cole had arrived at after meeting with various budget advisory committees, according to what he told the board Feb. 5. Glass said under the new proposal, the Feb. 26 presentation would be designed to answer the question: if we took this year’s budget and moved forward without any changes, where would we be? From there, he said, they would have a discussion on March 12 focused on what is recurring, what is nonrecurring, what is budget neutral, and how those items would affect and move the budget.

Under that first version of the budget, the total proposed for 2025-26 was $160,835,000, an increase of $5,010,000, or 3.22 percent, over 2024-25; it would have appropriated $315,000 from the reserve fund balance. Under the superintendent’s proposal of March 26, the proposed budget is $160,965,500, an increase of $5,140,500 over the 2024-25 total of $155,825,000. Estimated revenue other than taxes is $14,842,273; the appropriated fund balance is $464,018; and the amount to be raised by taxes is $145,659,209. That amount is $649,500 under the allowable tax levy — a 2.99 percent increase, as opposed to the 3.44 percent increase allowed under the tax cap.

Using the theme Bright Future - Solid Foundation for his proposed budget, Glass noted that the last two years of budget development seasons has been “rough,” with the district having to deal with some right-sizing to get itself into a stable position. “We thought it would take three years; it’s taken two,” said Glass, “and here we are in a stable budget position and able to begin considering how we might add back resources into the programming and operations of the school district.”

Glass noted that enrollment is relatively stable; they are slightly ahead of schedule on the right-sizing plan; significant capital facilities needs still exist; and budget stability remains a priority. At the same time, he said, as board members have noted, reserves have grown over the last five years by about $7 million, and have grown every year except one.

One area of uncertainty is the status of state and federal aid. “We just don’t know the real story,” said Glass. “We are hopeful and anticipate that we will continue to receive reasonable levels of that; we will just have to wait and see. We think it’s wise to bear in mind that we could get a curveball, and we should not be surprised should that happen.”

Glass said there is an extensive list of facilities needs that he has mentioned over the last two presentations, that were not addressed by the capital bond, and proposed using a transfer to capital process and a special capital fund to provide for these projects. He wants to see the Facilities & Finance Committee collaborate with the board to prioritize which will be funded, and promised that committee would begin meeting twice as often next year.

Glass said they are pulling in some nonrecurring funds to the proposed budget: transferring $630,000 from Debt Service Reserve; appropriated $150,000 to the taxpayers; and adjusted the 2024-25 current year expense projection for fuel oil by $300,000. “That brings almost $1.1 million net funds into the budget,” said Glass. “What that does for us, is allow us to reduce the levy from over 3 to 2.99 percent,” and bring two Title I teachers into the general budget.

“I’m excited about this year’s budget,” concluded Glass. “I think it’s important to remember, for the first time since I’ve been here, we’re talking about stability, future, foundation — good things. That’s the big story here, that’s the big takeaway. We’re not reducing the program, we’re not fighting to shed costs and build reserves, we’re in a pretty great spot right now.”

The board will have two more opportunities to discuss the budget, Wednesday, April 9 and April 23, at which time they are expected to adopt it. The adopted budget will go before voters May 20.