BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

POTSDAM -- Potsdam Central School District’s 2023-24 proposed budget would raise taxes by 2.15 percent, according to Potsdam Central School Superintendent Jerry Griffin.

If approved by voters, the $37,934,959 budget will result in a $316,264 jump in the tax levy, bringing the total amount to be raised taxes to $15,056,371. The total amount raised by local levy last year was $14,740,107 (this was an increase of $572,743).

Total spending is up 3.7% from last year's $36,589,182 budget.

“Based on the NYS budget negotiations being done with the governor we anticipate $18,791,317 in state aid,” Griffin said

Program costs make up for 78% of the budget and includes teachers and staff salaries, textbooks, instructional materials, transportation costs (except bus purchases) and extracurricular activity funding. The total amount expected to be spent on the above costs is $29,787,009, officials said.

Capital costs, which are $4,759,604 or 13% of the proposed budget, includes maintenance and custodial salaries and benefits, debt service, utilities, general insurance and court-ordered costs.

Administrative costs total 9% of the budget (43,388,346) and include the salaries and benefits of all certified staff who spend 50% or more of their time in administration, plus the salaries and benefits of clerical staff. Also included are school board costs, and curriculum development.

School officials say employee retirement system costs will increase 13.1%, last year it rose 11.6%.

Within the proposed budget, the district hopes to add two additional custodian/bus driver positions, and add one additional elementary teacher (transfer from a TA position)

Funding is expected to increase special education services in the elementary school and increase high school programming by adding "Intro to Tech and Independent Living" class.

More considerations for the budget includes purchasing new computer hardware, increasing funds for equipment and supplies, field trips, after-school academic support at the middle and high schools.

The district also plans to add a teacher aide at the middle school (transfer from federal funds to general fund), and transition one half-day pre-k classroom to a full day class, and reallocate funds from a federal grant to a general Fund for one high school English teacher who is currently employed.

The district will also ask voters to approve a bus purchase proposition to acquire two buses at an estimated cost of $316,000.

Potsdam has three open seats on the school board this year. Open seats belong to Keith Sapp and Jarrod Davis. There will be one write-in candidate.

A budget hearing is planned May 9 at 6:30 p.m. and the budget vote takes place May 16.