The annual School Budget Vote and Board of Education Election is June 9, 2020 with voting taking place by absentee ballot only, per an executive order issued by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Legal Notice of Budget Vote and Board Election
2020-2021 Budget Information
On May 20, the Board of Education adopted a proposed $42,881,212 budget for the 2020-21 school year. The proposed budget is up a total of $240,283, a 0.53 percent increase from the current year’s budget. This increase is due to staffing adjustments, instructional equipment purchases for technology, and anticipated debt service for the capital project. The budget carries a tax levy increase of 3.63 percent, which stays within the limit set by NY State’s property tax cap.
Budget Hearing May 27
The Annual Budget Hearing will take place online using Google Meet on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. during which the proposed 2020-21 School Budget will be presented. The public is welcome to view the meeting and ask questions at Meet.google.com/rdb-wooa-srk
Budget Presentations
BOE Meeting Budget Update Presentation – April 21, 2020
BOE Meeting Budget Update Presentation – February 12, 2020
Budget Workshop #1 Presentation – January 27, 2020
Budget Development Timeline
| Nov., 2019 | SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIAL – Distribution of budget forms to all appropriate supervisory personnel. |
| Week of 12/02/19 | ADMINISTRATORS – Submission of 2020-21 budget requests to the Superintendent. |
| Dec. – Jan. | SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS – Review of all detailed budget requests and justification materials with all supervisors. Development of a tentative budget. |
| 01/29/20 | BUDGET WORKSHOP #1 – 6:30 p.m. CHS Library |
| 02/12/20 | BOARD OF EDUCATION – Follow-up to 01/29/20 Meeting – (Part of Regular Board of Education Meeting). Fixed Costs – 6:30 p.m. CHS Library |
| 03/01/20 | TAX LEVY LIMITATION INFORMATION – last day to file initial calculation with NYS Office of State Comptroller. |
| 03/04/20 | BUDGET WORKSHOP #2 – 6:30 p.m. CHS Library |
| 03/17/20 | BOARD OF EDUCATION – Follow-up to 03/04/20 Meeting – (Part of Regular Board of Education Meeting). Instructional Program, Staffing and Building Level Budgets – 6:30 p.m. CHS Library |
| 03/31/20 | DISTRICT CLERK – Begin publication of legal notice of Annual District Meeting (published 4 times). (POSTPONED) |
| 04/01/20 | BUDGET WORKSHOP #3 – 6:30 p.m. CHS Library (POSTPONED) |
| 04/21/20 | BOARD OF EDUCATION (TUESDAY) – Budget update – Vote on BOCES annual Budget – 6:30 p.m. |
| 05/11/20 | PROPOSITION/PETITION DEADLINE Last date to submit petitions requesting that a proposition be placed on the ballot, which do not have to be noticed in the same manner as the notice for annual meeting, budget vote and election. Last date for filing petitions for School Board membership. |
| 05/20/20 | BOARD OF EDUCATION – Adopt proposed 2020-21 School Budget – 6:30 p.m. stream.meet.google.com/stream/71eb9d76-39c4-479e-a3e0-a9db2dee0583 |
| 05/26/20 | BUDGET DOCUMENT made available to the public. |
| 05/27/20 | BUDGET HEARING 6:00 p.m. Google Meet virtual meeting at meet.google.com/rdb-wooa-srk |
| 6/3/20 | BUDGET NOTICE – Last day to be mailed. |
| 6/4/20 | Voter Registration – Last day to register to vote with school district in time for June 9 election |
| 06/9/20 | ANNUAL BUDGET VOTE & ELECTION |
Property Tax Cap Information
Contrary to popular belief, the NYS Property Tax Cap does not cap tax increases at 2 percent. Instead, public schools must use a state formula each year to determine the amount they can increase their tax levies by without having to seek a higher percentage of voter approval for the budget. This threshold is usually different each year and may be above or below 2%. The district must determine its tax cap number and submit it to the state by March 1st of each year.
For 2020, Catskill CSD’s estimated Tax cap is 3.63 percent
If the year-to-year increase of the District’s tax levy (portion of the school budget funded by property tax) is at or below the number determined by the formula (the “cap”), a simple majority (50% + 1) of voter approval is needed to pass the budget. If the District puts before voters a budget that carries a tax levy increase above the number determined by the formula, a super majority (60%) of voter approval is needed for the budget to pass.
Voter Qualifications:
To be eligible to vote you must be:
• A citizen of the United States 18 years of age or older
• A resident of the Catskill Central School District for a period of 30 days or more directly preceding the date of the vote
• Registered to vote with either the School District or the Greene County Board of Elections
Voter Registration
You must be registered with either the County Board of Elections or the Catskill Central School District to vote on the School Budget and Board of Education Election. The voters of the District have approved a system of walk-in voter registration, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on days when the District Offices at the District Clerk’s Office, 343 West Main Street, Catskill, NY.
Voting By Absentee Ballot
Every eligible voter will receive an absentee ballot and a postage-paid return envelope in the mail. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Office of the Board Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the Election and Vote, 343 West Main Street, Catskill, New York.
Anyone who meets the definition of a “qualified voter” but has not registered to vote with either Greene County or the school district must do so to receive an absentee ballot. A qualified voter may register with either the county or with the school district. For information on how to register, please contact the Board Clerk at 518-943-4696 or the Greene County Board of Elections at 518-719-3550.
Applications for absentee ballots may also be applied for at the Office of the Board Clerk, 343 West Main Street, Catskill, New York. Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the Board Clerk at least seven (7) days prior to the election and vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot will be picked up personally by the voter at the Office of the Board Clerk.
Current School Budget
2019-20 School Budget Information