Public hearing on revised school budget is June 11; statewide revote day is June 18

Cazenovia Central School District encourages residents to learn more about the revised 2024-25 school budget proposal at the upcoming public hearing on Tuesday, June 11. The hearing is set for 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, 31 Emory Ave. 

On Tuesday, June 18, residents will have the opportunity to vote on the revised $38.4 million budget proposal, which is at the district’s calculated tax levy limit of 4.02%. The revised spending plan includes a reduction of $400,000 compared to the proposal that voters rejected by 34 votes on May 21. The new budget proposal will require a simple majority vote for authorization rather than the supermajority the previous proposal needed. 

To reduce the budget by $400,000, the district is proposing to cut a reading teacher, an instructional coach, and make reductions to athletics and technology. In addition, the district has fewer participating employees in its health insurance, which results in a cost reduction. 

The June 18 school budget revote date is on the same day that the village of Cazenovia is holding its village board elections.

“The statewide revote day for all school districts that had a budget voted down is set by the New York State Education Department, not by administrators or the board of education,” said Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio. “We hope everyone who’s already out exercising their right to vote in the village election will also make time to vote on the school budget.”

Voting on the school budget will take place 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the middle school auxiliary gymnasium, 31 Emory Ave.

“Under state law, if the revised budget is voted down, we’ll have to enact a contingency budget, which includes severe cuts that will undoubtedly be felt by our students, staff, and community,” DiFulvio said.

Under a contingency budget, the district will be forced to implement an additional $885,248 in cuts. This would involve limiting the number of athletes on certain teams, reducing to no more than two teams per program, and cutting a second instructional coach, an assistant principal, an SRO, a second world language teacher, its second CTE teacher in three years, physics, astronomy, theater courses, certain fine arts programs, music electives, all teacher-leader positions, and 20% of extracurricular activities. 

Additionally, the district would have to eliminate all public use of its facilities, only allowing use on a charge basis.

For anyone without a student enrolled in the district who would like to receive important information like this directly from the district, please sign up for the Caz Community Connection ParentSquare Group.