Navigating challenges while prioritizing students: a responsible approach to 2025-26 budget development

District to hold series of budget meetings

“As we move through this year’s budget process, we remain committed to making thoughtful financial decisions that prioritize student success while maintaining fiscal responsibility.”
At the March 24 North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education meeting, Donald F.X. Keegan, Associate Superintendent for Business Services, presented an overview of the district’s financial challenges and key budget considerations for the 2025-26 school year. The district is facing a $6.0  million budget gap, driven by rising costs, the expiration of federal pandemic-related funds and limited increases in state aid.

“Over the past four years, inflation has driven up costs across all sectors, including education,” Keegan explained. “While the district has worked diligently to manage expenses while continuing to provide high quality instructional programming, the expiration of pandemic-related funding in September 2024 presents a new challenge. Without additional aid, we must find ways to sustain critical academic intervention services and social-emotional support for students.”

Key Takeaways:
Like many districts across the state, the NSCSD is navigating several financial constraints:

• Inflation continues to outpace the tax levy increase. The tax levy has not kept up with inflation for the past four years, further straining the district’s budget.
• Expiration of federal CRRSA & ARP funds. These funds, originally provided for pandemic-related support, are no longer available, yet many of the positions and services they funded remain essential.
• Limited increase in Foundation Aid. While the state’s Executive Budget modified the Foundation Aid formula to ensure a minimum 2% increase, this amount does not keep pace with inflation or contractual cost increases.
• Uncertainty surrounding federal funding.The district receives approximately $10 million in federal aid, but potential cuts have not yet been factored into the budget.

Keegan emphasized that the district is focusing on “right-sizing” its organization—aligning staffing and resources with student needs while maintaining financial stability. He noted that a significant number of retirements will allow for cost savings without impacting student programs. “Our goal is to minimize disruption by reducing costs through retirements and attrition rather than widespread staff reductions,” Keegan explained.

The district is also exploring additional revenue sources and cutting expenses where possible to create a fiscally responsible budget while preserving instructional programs. Additionally the proposed budget will use reserves to cover a portion of the gap, though long-term sustainability remains a priority.

Commitment to student success
Despite financial constraints, the district remains focused on its Strategic Plan, which prioritizes  reading proficiency, emotional competence and graduating students with the skills and experiences necessary for success post high school. 

Investments in professional development for instructional staff will continue to support these areas and the district’s long-term goal of academic excellence.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Terry L. Ward reaffirmed the district’s commitment to student success and fiscal responsibility, stating: “As we move through this year’s budget process, we remain committed to making thoughtful financial decisions that prioritize student success while maintaining fiscal responsibility.”

Additional budget considerations

• Vehicle Bond Proposition – The district has proposed the purchase of 12 school buses and maintenance vehicles, with a 0.13% tax impact (approximately $2.41 for a home valued at $100,000 before STAR exemptions).
• High School Pool Project Funding – Assemblyman Al Stirpe secured an additional $3 million in funding for the high school aquatic facility. This funding will help offset cost increases due to inflation and will appear as an additional proposition on the May ballot—with no additional tax impact to residents.

Community engagement & next steps
While state aid has not increased as anticipated, the district remains focused on balancing the budget in a way that minimizes the impact on students and families. Transparency and community engagement will be central to this process.

Several budget meetings are scheduled in the coming months, in addition to the May 13 Public Hearing. Community members are encouraged to visit the NSCSD website at www.nscsd.org for meeting times and locations.
Budget Vote & Election – Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Polling locations:

• North of Route 481: Michael J. Bragman Stadium (6002 Route 31)
• South of Route 481: Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Road)

The district encourages all residents to stay informed and participate in the budget process to help shape the future of the NSCSD. A series of budget meetings will be held leading up to the May 20 vote. Meeting dates/times and locations are listed below and posted on the district's online calendar. 

Budget meetings:

• April 29 In-Person Meeting at 5 PM Roxboro Road Middle School (300 Bernard Street, Mattydale)
• May 1 VIRTUAL MEETING at 7 PM (Join meeting at www.nscsd.org/meet1)
• May 6 VIRTUAL MEETING at 6 PM (Join meeting at www.nscsd.org/meet2)
• May 7 In-Person Meeting at 7 PM Cicero Elementary School (5979 Route 31, Cicero)
• May 13 In-Person Meeting at 6 PM Jerome F. Melvin Admin. Office (5355 West Taft Road, N. Syracuse)