2022-2023 District Budget

On May 17, 2022, Liberty Central School District voters approved a $57,543,257 budget for the 2022-23 school year by a vote of 231 to 64.

District voters also approved/denied a five-year contract with Rolling V Transportation Corporation for student transportation services beginning July 1. This proposition passed by a vote of 243 to 49.

The budget funds all current programs and services for students and includes additional positions to manage class sizes, meet student needs and expand learning opportunities. This includes additional middle and high school teaching staff, extra support for English as a New Language services, social-emotional student support, and additional extracurricular stipends to expand student opportunities and activities.

“We appreciate the continued support of the voters in providing a quality education for our children,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We are especially proud to be able to do this without an additional tax burden on our residents.”

Elected to the school board were Matthew DeWitt, Timothy Hamblin and John Nichols. Philip Olsen was also on the ballot.

Original story:

On Tuesday, May 17, voters in the Liberty Central School District will decide on a $57.5 million budget proposed for the 2022-23 school year that contains no increase in the tax levy for the fourth consecutive year. Voters will also elect three candidates to the Board of Education and decide on a proposed five-year contract for student transportation services.

The budget calls for a nearly $3.6 million increase in spending, or 6.6%. A significant state aid increase will enable the district to cover the growth in costs and make some new investments without any increase in the tax levy. The district is focused on updating curriculum, expanding technology access and providing global and local real-world experiences such as the collaboration with a partner school in Zimbabwe and the school-based business incubator.

“With this budget, our goal is to provide students with stability and opportunities to grow and explore in the classroom and beyond,” said Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan. “We are focused on a strong curriculum and the extracurricular activities and interscholastic athletic programs that mean so much to our students and our community.”

Polls will be open between noon and 9 p.m. at the Liberty High School gymnasium at 125 Buckley St. Absentee ballots may also be requested and must be returned to the district clerk by 5 p.m. May 17.

Snapshot

Total Budget: $57,543,257
Proposed Budget Change: $3,580,265 (+6.63%)
Proposed School Tax Levy: $18,760,162
School Tax Levy Change: 0%

REVENUES

Property Taxes: $18,760,162
State Aid: $37,032,594
Fund Balance: $0
Reserves: $0
Other: $1,750,501
Total: $57,543,257

EXPENDITURES

General Support: $7,499,995
Instruction: $27,808,397
Pupil Transportation: $5,435,138
Employee Benefits: $13,446,096
Debt Service $3,118,631
Interfund Transfers: $235,000
Total: $57,543,257

COMPONENTS

Administrative Component: $5,606,311
Program Component: $44,966,249
Capital Component: $6,970,697

Transportation proposition

Also going before voters on May 17 is a proposed five-year contract with Rolling V Transportation Corporation for Student Transportation Services beginning July 1, 2022, with budgetary appropriations beginning with the 2022-23 school year. The contract calls for 5% annual increases for: 10-month/regular school year transportation services; two-month/summer school transportation services; and 10-month athletics, extracurricular and field trip services.

School Board

Voters will elect three board of education members. Four candidates submitted nominating petitions and are on the ballot. The three candidates with the most votes will serve three-year terms beginning in July 2022. The candidates, in the order they appear on the ballot, are: Timothy Hamblin, John Nichols, Philip Olsen and Matthew DeWitt.

Liberty Central School District

2022-2023 District Budget