On Tuesday, April 18, Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a nearly $66.3 million budget proposal for the 2023-24 school year that enhances curriculum and improves programs while decreasing the tax levy by $1 million, or 5.33%.

This is the fifth consecutive year there is no proposed tax levy increase. Voters will also elect three Board of Education candidates. Three people submitted petitions: Erin Abplanalp, Maureen Stabak and Eugene S. Thalmann.

The proposed $66,296,362 budget would fund all current student programs and services, while decreasing the tax levy by $1 million, or 5.3%. It would enhance the nationally recognized social emotional learning  program Leader in Me and expand Science 21 and the HMH ELA and mathematics programs, to help provide a consistent curriculum across grades. The budget also proposes to establish an in-house newcomer program for English language learners, add two permanent substitute positions to each school building, an LPN position to be shared across two buildings, bring  the IT director position in-house and add vape detectors to the middle and high school bathrooms. The proposal also includes funds to enhance safety and security.

The proposal calls for a $8,753,105 million increase in spending, or 15.21%. A significant state aid increase would enable the district to cover the growth in contractual and transportation costs, as well as begin to address the state-required mascot change, without any further increase to the proposed tax levy amount. A portion of the increased state aid would also be used to address K-8 learning loss that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With this budget, we aim to provide our students a consistent curriculum, needed supports and continued opportunities to empower themselves so that they can contribute and thrive in a diverse community, in alignment with our five-year strategic plan” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

The budget will be presented at the May 1 Liberty Town Board meeting, and there will be a public forum on the budget at Liberty Fire Department at time and date to be determined. The annual public hearing on the budget will be at 6:30 p.m. May 2 in the high school auditorium.

More information on the budget will be available on the school’s budget page in the coming days, and in a brochure being mailed to all residents in May.