To address the gap between revenue and expenses for the 2025-26 budget, Waterville Central School District will make some adjustments starting this spring.
At last week’s WCS Board of Education meeting, WCS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Spring went over some recommendations to close the gap, which started out at $878,509.
The expenditure side of the budget is $23,259,669, and revenues are estimated at $22,389,080. The property tax levy would increase 2 percent.
Spring said the district’s telephone system needs to be replaced.
The $200,000 cost will be run through OHM BOCES to qualify for reimbursement.
After April 15, only emergency purchasing will be done in the District.
The district saw a big jump in electric and gas utility use in December, with the bill doubling. An assessment by NYSEG will be done this month.
All software use is being looked at to eliminate ones with low usage.
For example, Spring said one teacher uses a program that costs $8,500.
Newer software is being looked at for better return on cost, she said.
Software purchased with federal pandemic funds has to be maintained, a cost up to $380,000.
Health insurance coverage for employees and retirees will go up 12 percent after going up 7.5 percent this year.
Football helmets will be replaced, paid for out of the athletic budget.
Two laminating machines will be purchased to replace one that doesn’t work and one that rarely works.
A reduction being considered is the Summer Enrichment program at Memorial Park School, which costs $25,000.
The past summers it has been paid for out of federal pandemic funds, which are no longer available.
Spring said if state aid comes in higher than projected, the District could run a modified, shorter version of the program.
The summer program for Junior High students will not be done.
Spring discussed with Board members reducing two teaching positions that will be vacant in July due to retirements.
One position that wouldn’t be filled under the proposal is a physical education teacher at MPS, leaving one teacher there for phys ed. Spring said one of the Junior-Senior High teachers could take on some of the MPS duties.
Two positions were added this year in special education.
Spring said the model is changing for how students are placed in classrooms, cutting back on the smaller classrooms with just a few students.
The changes could result in a reduction of an instructor.
Spring said the changes would place students in the least restrictive environment.
Waterville will also close the spending gap by using some of its savings.
If the recommendations are taken, that use would go from $870,000 to $650,000.
Board member Pete Casatelli said while doing so is needed, making it an annual solution will drain the savings. ...