Catskill’s School Budget Vote and Board of Education Election is May 17, 2022. A separate proposition the District is putting before voters on the May 17 ballot would authorize the District to bond up to $400,000 over five years to purchase maintenance and grounds equipment and a small school bus. The annual costs of the bond have been built into the 2022-23 budget and therefore would not require the District to raise the tax levy above what is already proposed with the budget.

Purchases would replace equipment that is worn out, not functioning, or near the end of its useful service life. Purchases would include a cargo van, F350 pickup truck, F450 dump truck, compact utility tractor with attachments, dual-axle trailer, scissor lift, two snowblowers, two salt spreaders, and building maintenance equipment such as floor machines, spray-and-vac cleaning systems, vacuums, and pallet jacks.

Also included is the addition of a 16-passenger school bus for field trips, after-school extracurricular activities, and other special-area student transportation needs that often can’t be met through the District’s contracted busing service. NYS aid would reimburse the District for 63.4% of the bus purchase cost.