Briarcliff Proposes $53 Million School Budget For 2020-21

Editor's Note: The deadline for school districts to receive school budget ballots has been extended. Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order Sunday saying the ballots can be accepted by hand delivery through 5 p.m. Tuesday or received by mail through June 16 by the school district. SEE: Cuomo Extends Deadline For Mail-In School Budget Ballots

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY — The Briarcliff Board of Education is holding its annual budget vote remotely. That's only one of the many changes forced on the district by the new coronavirus pandemic in New York.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has warned that the economic effect of the shutdown imposed to curb the outbreak could mean much less money available for state education aid. The state will be assessing and adjusting its budget several times in the course of 2020. Cuomo's last estimate was that state aid would be 20 percent lower than already promised.

Overall, the district’s revenue for 2020-21 is estimated to decrease by roughly $870,000 from original projections before the outbreak began. That includes reductions in state aid, sales tax revenue, interest earnings, and tuition revenue, district officials said.

Briarcliff administrators and trustees have been working on how to mitigate the effect of much lower revenues since March. Schools Superintendent James Kaishian presented an adjusted budget May 17 to realize additional savings beyond the planned reduction of 3 teaching positions due to attrition/retirements.

The proposed spending plan is $53.38 million. The proposed increase in the tax levy is 2.71 percent.

You can check out the spending plan for 2020-21 here.

The school board will hold its annual budget hearing at 8 p.m. June 1. Check the website for how to join online.

Things to know:

1. School district budget votes and school board elections are by absentee ballot only in 2020.
2. Absentee ballots will be mailed to all registered voters in the district the week of May 25.
3. If you are not registered, you may register by mail with the County Board of Elections or apply through the state online.

To vote, you must be:

• A United States citizen
• At least 18 yrs of age by June 9, 2020
• A resident of the district by May 10, 2020
• Cannot have been disqualified from voting based upon a reason described in Election Law §5-106.