2024-25 School Budget Vote Tuesday, May 21
Board proposes 2024-25 budget with 1.98% estimated tax rate increase
On Tuesday, May 21, residents will go to the polls to vote on a $84,923,071 budget for the 2024-25 school year. Polls are open from 7 am to 9 pm at BH-BL High School. Residents will also elect two candidates to the board of education. The proposed budget carries a 1.98% estimated rate rate increase with a 2.91% tax levy increase, making this the 13th consecutive year the district has proposed a budget below that state’s tax cap.
A detailed budget newsletter will be mailed to all residents in early May. Additionally, on Wednesday, May 15, there will be a Meet-the-Candidate Night at the high school at 7 pm.
Early Mail Voting
Did you know that qualified voters can now vote early by mail in the upcoming budget vote and board election? Follow this link to learn more and download an application to request an early mail voting ballot be mailed to you.
In-person Presentations
To learn more about the budget and ask administrators questions, please join them at one of the following public meetings.
- CHES PTA Meeting, Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 pm, library
- HS PTSA Meeting, Monday, May 6 at 7 pm, library
- Board of Education Budget Hearing, Wednesday, May 8 at 6 pm, HS Board Room
- Stevens PTA Meeting, Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 pm, library
- Pashley PTA Meeting, Thursday, May 9 at 6 pm, cafeteria
- O’Rourke PTA Meeting, Monday, May 13 at 6:30 pm, library
Overview of the Budget Process
Budget development actually starts in every November when the Board of Education begins to identify their budget objectives and the factors external and internal to the school district that are likely to have the greatest impact on the next year’s budget. Such factors can include rising prices for fuel or health insurance, for example, or the expectation that we will be impacted by a new state mandate or a change in pupil enrollment.
By December, the Board has created a detailed budget development calendar that includes the objectives and context for the new school budget.
In January, the Board of Education receives preliminary budget requests for the coming school year from school administrators, as well as requests for additional staffing and possible new or improved programs.
February, March and early April are spent analyzing and discussing these requests at a series of public Finance Committee meetings. The school board also solicits public input on the budget and devotes time to budget development issues at its regular February and March business meetings. Administrators work to refine their numbers as more accurate cost estimates and enrollment figures are received during this period, and as Board members ask them to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of providing a service in a different way.
Throughout the winter and spring, school board members and administrators are also monitoring budget activity at the state level. BH-BL school board members and administrators are in frequent contact with local legislators to inform them how various state funding proposals will affect our schools.
In mid-April, the Board of Education votes on a proposed budget. A newsletter describing the budget is then printed and mailed to all district homes in early May. A copy of the proposed budget broken down by line items is also available in May at the main office of each school or the District Office. The public vote on the proposed budget is held by law on the third Tuesday in May.