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The proposed budget is $107,323,677, representing a 2.8% increase over the current year's. District residents will be able to vote on the budget, and school board candidates, on May 20.

The proposal includes a tax levy of $36,803,460, an increase of 3.25% but under the state-imposed cap of 3.78%. The district's business executive, Tessa Crawford, told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» this year's proposal leans harder into taxpayer money than in recent years because the final state budget — and therefore the amount of aid the district will receive — has not yet been released. 

The district's proposal uses state aid numbers from New York's initial budget proposal earlier this year, which included a new foundation aid (base aid) formula, Crawford said. But if the final budget doesn't approve that new formula, "then we would be at risk of going back to the old formula and actually getting less money than we have received in the past," she continued.

Still, the district tried to be thoughtful about putting its budget proposal together, Crawford said.

"We recognize that our community is struggling financially with all of the other things rising high, so for us to ask for a 3.25% (tax levy increase) we recognize is a hard ask," she said.

"We want them to know it's the responsible thing to do, and we're only asking because New York state has not passed their budget. If they don't approve what they have, we will not be able to provide the students with what they need," Crawford continued. "It wouldn't be responsible for us to not make sure that we were sustainable."

The proposal was approved by the board unanimously. It includes $168,511 for summer school and $33,536 for a part-time music teacher.

Another special education classroom would be added for $500,000, with three special education teachers, three teacher's assistants and five teacher aides.

Crawford noted that in order to cover the district's deficit gap, $2 million from its fund balance and $500,000 in tax certiorari reserves would be used. 

Also on the ballot May 20 will be a $7.2 million emergency capital project to replace about 100 unit ventilators at four elementary schools. The project would be funded by $3.6 million from a capital reserve fund, and the remainder would come from the district's unassigned fund balance or other available funds. The project therefore would not have a tax impact.

Phillips rejoins board temporarily

Wednesday's meeting also saw a former Auburn school board member return — but only for a few weeks. 

Former board President Ian Phillips was approved that night to fill the seat vacated by Freddie Wilson III when he resigned earlier this month due to health reasons. 

Phillips will only serve until the May 20 election, as state law requires that Wilson's replacement be elected then with the three other three-year seats that will be open. He had a year left on his term. 

Before the board voted, Vice President Danielle Wood praised Phillips, who served on it from 2018 until leaving to run for New York State Assembly in 2024.

"We do have someone who's willing to step in for us, who has been on our board before and has gone through this budget process before," Wood said.

Seven members voted to approve Phillips, while member Matteo Bartolotta voted against it. He told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» that since the budget proposal was approved, he didn't feel the temporary seat made sense.

"Bringing Ian in, yes, he has the experience of serving on the board and working through budgets," Bartolotta said. "But it's a little too late now."