Budget and Finance - Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District

Public schools are among the most significant investments that any community makes collectively. District leaders work to make the most effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner and to be accountable to taxpayers.

Each spring, the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District Board of Education adopts a proposed budget for the next school year that the community then votes upon.

2026-27 Budget Vote

Tuesday, May 19
8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
J-D High School Gymnasium

2026-27 Proposed Budget at-a-glance

- Proposed Budget: $74,962,459
- Budget Change: -$365,208
- Tax Levy Change: 2.63%

2026-27 Three-part budget summary

All New York state public schools are required by law to report their spending in three categories: administrative, capital, and program. The state dictates which portions of the budget belong in each respective category.

Administrative Component

- $6,882,505
- 9.18%

The administrative component represents district and building oversight along with support services for all areas of operations. It represents 9.18%, or $6,882,505, of the proposed budget. It includes the superintendent, building principals, district office staff, and clerical employees. It also covers business operations, legal representation, district communications, information technology systems, audit services and various insurance coverages. By controlling administrative costs, the district is able to dedicate more of its resources directly into the classroom.

Factors impacting this component include an estimated 13% increase in commercial insurance, a 10% increase in health insurance, and additional expenses related to OCM BOCES’ capital project.

Capital Component

- $12,264,207
- 16.36%

The capital component represents the expenses required to operate, maintain and secure district facilities. This includes debt service on prior capital projects and funds transferred to the Capital Fund for work to be performed on district facilities. The capital component represents 16.36%, or $12,264,207, of the total budget. The capital component also includes funding to enhance security throughout the district, along with preventative maintenance on operating systems including boilers, HVAC, fire alarms and communication systems.

Factors impacting this component include an 18% increase in utilities and 10% increase in health insurance.

Program Component

- $55,815,747
- 74.46%

The proposed program component reflects the district’s commitment to excellence. It represents 74.46%, or $55,815,747, of the total budget and includes instructional costs such as teachers, classroom support, pupil support services, co-curricular activities, athletics and the operational cost of transporting students. The budget also maintains all existing programs including art, music, extracurricular activities like drama clubs and athletics. The district dedicates maximum resources to provide an exceptional educational program focused on meeting the needs of the district’s diverse student population.

The 10% increase in health insurance coverage is also impacting this component of the budget.

Propositions

Ballot Proposition 2 – Bus Purchases

The district is proposing the purchase of four new 65-passenger gasoline buses and one Micro Bird wheelchair (WC) bus for a total cost of $837,993. The vehicles would replace four buses that are 11-13 years old and have between 113,000-140,000 miles each and one Micro Bird WC bus with 80,000 miles and significant mechanical and body issues. This would keep the district’s bus replacement plan on track, which aims to keep maintenance costs low and provide safe transportation for students.

All school buses must pass a rigorous state inspection that typically occurs twice annually. The district normally replaces its buses when it is no longer cost effective to make the repairs necessary to meet the state’s safety standards.

The district continues to monitor the state mandated transition to zero-emission buses and intends to apply for a two-year extension to better analyze the impact on district finances and operations.

Ballot Proposition 3 – Community Library Funding

When district residents vote on the proposed 2026-27 school budget, they will also vote on a proposition to levy and collect a tax in the amount of $1,688,580 for the Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville.

New York state education law allows libraries to place a funding proposition on school district ballots and requires districts, at the libraries’ requests, to levy and collect taxes for libraries. The school district does not endorse, control or
recommend any aspect of how libraries spend money.

If voters approve the proposition, the school district would annually levy and collect taxes in the new amount for the library beginning in the 2026-27 fiscal year. The amount authorized for library services is listed as a separate line on
residents’ tax bills.

More information about the library is available on its website: www.cldandj.org.

Board Candidates

On May 19, district residents will elect three members to the Jamesville-DeWitt Board of Education. The board is the official policy making body of the district. It establishes operational policies, sets educational goals and standards, evaluates program effectiveness, develops the annual school budget and balances educational needs with community resources. The board is made up of nine school district residents whose terms are staggered. Board members are not financially compensated for their service.

Three candidates filed nominating petitions for three available seats. Their names will appear in this order on the ballot:

- Andrew Nolan
- Dominic D’Imperio
- David Babikian

The candidates with the highest number of votes will fill the available seats. Each term will run from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.

Click here to read candidate profiles and statements.

2026-27 Budget News and Materials

2026-27 Budget FAQs

Q What is the difference between the tax levy and tax rate?

The tax levy is the total amount of money a school district raises in taxes each year from all property owners in the district and follows a state-mandated formula. Tax rates are calculated by dividing the total amount of the levy by the total taxable assessed value in a community. The tax rate is used to calculate what each property owner actually pays in school taxes and is affected by changes in municipal assessments and state equalization rates, which are finalized in the summer by local assessors and the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Q How would the proposed budget affect my taxes?

While final tax rates cannot be determined until the summer, when assessment and equalization rates become available, the district estimates the tax rate will increase by approximately $30.01 annually or $2.50 per month for a $100,000 home, keeping assessment totals and equalization rates consistent from the prior year.

Q What is a tax levy limit, or tax cap?

The tax levy limit is the highest allowable tax levy that a school district can propose as part of its annual budget for which a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) would be required for authorization. The tax levy limit is calculated using a state-mandated formula. Any proposed tax levy amount above this limit would require budget approval by a supermajority (60% or more) of voters. The district is proposing a tax levy increase of 2.63%, which is within the district’s 2026-27 calculated amount. That means a simple majority of voters is required for the budget to pass.

Q What is a fund balance and how does it help offset what I pay in school taxes?

Fund balance is created when there is money left at the end of the fiscal year, either by the district spending less than budgeted, receiving more revenue than anticipated or a combination of both. An “unassigned” fund balance provides money that can be used for a variety of needs, unlike reserve funds, which are targeted for specific purposes. Fund balance and reserves can be used strategically in subsequent years to help balance budgets and alleviate the need to raise more tax revenue than necessary. However, districts need to be careful not to rely on these funds for too many cycles as once fund balance is gone, balancing revenues and expenses can lead to operational challenges. New York state limits school districts’ unassigned fund balances to 4% of the subsequent year budget.

Q What happens if the budget is voted down?

Under New York state law, if the school budget is defeated, the board of education can either put the same or a modified budget up for another vote, or adopt a contingent budget. If the proposed budget is turned down during a second vote, the board must adopt a contingent budget.

Q What is a contingent budget?

State law mandates that under a contingent budget a school district must adopt a budget with no tax levy increase and eliminate all noncontingent expenses, such as certain student supplies, school bus replacements, capital outlay projects, certain equipment purchases and the free community use of school facilities. The administrative budget would also be subject to certain restrictions. The adoption of a contingent budget and subsequent reductions would be at the discretion of the board of education. Contingent budget information is shared in the district budget notice that will be mailed to residents by May 12.

Q How can the district do capital project work while dealing with budgetary challenges?

Although facility care and maintenance is addressed on a daily basis, capital projects help districts maintain and improve school property on a larger scale. Infrastructure needs are identified every five years through a state-mandated Building Condition Survey.

State building aid is intended to help districts keep facilities and infrastructure up-to-date. Because building aid is only eligible on qualifying expenses, districts are unable to allocate these funds to the program or administrative portions of the budget as building aid would no longer apply. The district aims to maintain steady capital funding without falling behind on required infrastructure needs, even as escalating costs present challenges.

Q Will the district conduct another exit survey following the 2026-27 budget vote?

Yes, the district plans to conduct another exit survey to gather feedback from the community, which will be used during the 2027-28 budget development process.

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2026-27 Budget Development Calendar

The Board of Education approved the 2026-27 budget development calendar during a regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 8.

October

Various Dates: Budget Road Show presentations at all buildings

21: Finance Committee
27: Regular Board of Education Meeting

November

17: Regular Board of Education Meeting (Tecumseh Elementary)
18: Finance Committee

December

8: Regular Board of Education Meeting (J-D High School), approve budget calendar
16: Finance Committee

January

12: Regular Board of Education Meeting (TBD Foundation Aid Update)
20: Finance Committee
26: Regular Board of Education Meeting (Prelim. Revenues & Expenses – Budget Overview)

February

9: Regular Board of Education Meeting (Jamesville Elementary) (TBD State Aid
Update & Tax Levy Limit)

March

1: Tax Levy Limit due to OSC
4: Finance Committee
9: Regular Board of Education Meeting (Moses-DeWitt Elementary) (TBD State Aid, Update & Non-Instructional Budget)
17: Finance Committee
23: Regular Meeting (TBD State Aid Update & Instructional Budget, legal notice of budget vote and propositions – 45 days prior, April 3)

April

3: First legal notice published
6: Regular Board of Education Meeting (J-D Middle School) (TBD State Aid Update)
15: Finance Committee, all items finalized for annual vote
20: Regular Board of Education Meeting (3-Part Budget, adopt Jamesville-DeWitt CSD & OCM BOCES Admin Budget & Property Tax Report Card, nominations petitions due April 20, 2026)
20-May: absentee/early ballots mailed for requests received
24: Final date to adopt the property tax report card by the board, distribute military ballots
27: Property Tax Report Card due to State Education Department

May

4: Budget Statement and attachments made publicly available, budget newsletter distributed
11: Budget Hearing & Regular Meeting
12: Mail Budget Notice to district residents
19: Budget Vote & Annual Election

June

1: Regular Meeting (Certify Budget Vote & Election results)
15: Regular Board of Education Meeting

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Early, Absentee, and Military Ballots

All qualified Jamesville-DeWitt voters are eligible to vote with a mail-in ballot. Applications are needed for early, absentee, and military ballots.

Early Voting Ballots

All qualified district residents are eligible to vote early with a mail-in ballot for any reason.

Absentee Ballots

Voters must complete an absentee application and state the reason they will not be able to appear in person on the day of the district election/vote. An absentee ballot can be used if:

- The voter is absent from the county on Election Day.
- The voter is a patient in a hospital, or unable to appear personally at the polling place on that day because of illness or physical disability, or duties related to the primary care of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
- The voter is in detention in jail/prison, is awaiting trial, awaiting action by a grand jury, or awaiting trial or confined in jail or prison after a conviction for an offense other than a felony and stating the place where the applicant is detained or confined.

If you are registered as a permanently disabled absentee voter with the Onondaga County Board of Elections, an absentee ballot will automatically be provided to you.

Completed Early/Absentee Applications

Completed early and absentee applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days (May 12) before the election/vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election/vote (May 19) if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Completed ballots must be received by the District Clerk by 5 p.m. on the day of the vote, May 19. A secured drop-off box is located outside the district office at J-D High School. The District Clerk cannot accept ballot applications until 30 days prior to the budget vote and board election (April 19).

For more information or to get an early, absentee, or military application, contact District Clerk Tish Hauser at thauser@jd.cnyric.org or 315-445-8304. You can also visit the district office at 6845 Edinger Drive, DeWitt, NY.

Military Ballots

Members of the United States Armed Forces may request an application for a military ballot to vote in the upcoming budget and board of education election on May 19.

In 2019, New York state implemented a law giving members of the military the opportunity to cast their ballots for the election of members of the board of education, and the adoption of the annual budget, school district public library budget and referenda. This also applies to spouses and dependents of members of the military.

Ballots for military voters shall be mailed, or otherwise distributed, no later than Friday, April 24.

Your School Budget in Action

The Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District uses the annual budget to provide students with a rich curriculum, unique learning opportunities, and critical support services. It also helps employ dedicated staff, maintain buildings/equipment, and more.

School Safety

Jamesville-DeWitt partners with the Town of DeWitt Police Department to utilize a School Patrol Officer (SPO) at each school building, which supports the district’s strategic plan priority area of Safe and Efficient Operations. These officers are building positive connections with students, staff, and the community.

Curriculum/Support Services

Courses encourage students to become problem solvers and change creators! Senior Brian Tollar credits classes at J-D Middle School and J-D High School with helping him hone his engineering skills and make a difference.

Instructional/Non-Instructional Budget

A considerable portion of school budgets help employ the district’s dedicated team in and out of the classroom. Non-Instructional staff like bus drivers and attendants make a significant difference in the daily lives of our students. Meet a bus driver who has spent the last decade safely transporting Red Rams of all ages!

Learning Opportunities

Extracurricular activities give students the opportunity to embrace interests and grow. The J-D Middle School Times Newspaper is helping students strengthen their social, writing, and editing skills.

School Budgets in 60 Seconds

Watch the video below for a quick overview of how school budgets are developed in New York

STAR Program

Homeowners who meet certain eligibility requirements through the New York State School Tax Relief Program (STAR) can have a portion of their home’s assessed value exempt from school property taxes. Learn more about the STAR program.

Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage

Form 1095-C will no longer be distributed automatically to district employees or retirees and must be requested annually. For more information and to request Form 1095-C, please click on this link to the OCM BOCES website.