Budget

School Budget Development

The school budget is the biggest investment the community collectively makes with its tax dollars. District leaders work to make the most thoughtful and 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.

Annual school budget development timeline

January – March: District administration and the Board of Education work to develop preliminary budget.
February: Presentation of Superintendent’s Draft Budget to the Board of Education.
Late February: Board of Education candidate petitions available.
March: Presentation of Superintendent’s Proposed Budget, legal notice of school budget hearing and budget vote.
April: Final budget presentation by the Superintendent. Board adopts budget and property tax report card.
April: Deadline for Board of Education candidate petitions. Absentee ballots made available to requestors.
April: Distribution of “Property Tax Report Card” within 24 hours of budget adoption.
May: Budget Hearing.
May: School Budget Notice mailed to the community.
Third Tuesday in May: Budget Vote and Board Trustee Election.

May 20, 2025 is the date for the upcoming Budget and Board Candidate Vote. This will be held at Harry Hoag Elementary School Library, 12 noon – 8 p.m.

2025-26 School Year Budget

Voters approve 2025-26 budget

Fort Plain Central School District residents voted on May 20, 2025 to approve a $24,000,000 budget for the 2025-26 school year by a vote of 136 to 24.

Voters also approved a referendum by a vote of 127 to 32 authorizing the district to purchase three school buses/vehicles at a cost not to exceed $400,000. These funds will be drawn from reserve funds. The purchase will have no impact on the tax levy.

The 2025-26 school budget represents an increase in spending of $156,000 or 0.65% over the current year budget.

The budget preserves all academic programs and staffing, and includes funding to ensure the district’s schools are safe, welcoming and enriching places for students and staff to work, learn and grow.

The 2025-26 tax levy increase is 1.00%, which is below the district’s allowable tax cap of 5.15% for this school year. Because the tax levy increase is below the district’s allowable limit, as determined by the state’s tax “cap” formula, a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) was needed to pass the budget.

Learn more about the 2025-26 school budget and budget vote.

2025-26 school budget documentation

more Information on the 2025-26 budget

2024-25 School Year Budget

Voters approve 2024-25 school budget, elect three to Board of Education

Fort Plain Central School District residents voted on May 21, 2024 to approve a $23,844,000 budget for the 2024-25 school year by a vote of 239 to 65.

Voters also approved a referendum by a vote of 225 to 79 authorizing the district to purchase three school buses at a maximum cost of $450,000. A referendum to allow the Fort Plain Library to increase its annual taxpayer supported appropriation from $85,000 to $100,000 was also approved by a vote of 229 to 77.

Additionally, voters elected three individuals to fill vacancies on the Board of Education: Sara McDuffee (247 votes), Neal VanSlyke (201 votes) and Joshua Parkinson (158 votes).

Board of Education adopts proposed 2024-25 proposed budget

During its regular meeting on April 17, 2024, the Fort Plain Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a proposed $23,844,000 budget for the 2024-25 school year.

The school budget represents an increase in spending of $524,000, or 2.25%. over the current year budget. The spending plan will allow the district to maintain all current academic programs and personnel, and will provide for additional supports and learning opportunities for students.

Under this proposal, the tax levy would increase by 1.43%, which is below the district’s allowable tax cap of 3.43%. Because the tax levy increase remains below the district’s allowable limit, as determined by the state’s tax “cap” formula, a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) is needed to pass the budget.

Learn more about proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year.

2024-25 school budget documentation

more Information on the 2024-25 budget

School Taxes

School property tax rates are set in August for the upcoming school year. Tax rates are based on the total tax levy in the voter-approved school budget, the state-determined equalization rates, and assessment rolls for each town.

School property taxes are due Oct. 31 each year. Payments that are mailed must be postmarked no later than Oct. 31.

View your tax bill | STAR exemptions website

Budget Voter Requirements

U.S. citizen
School district resident for at least 30 days
18 years of age

District NYS Report Card

Early voting/absentee ballots

Early voting/absentee ballot applications may be obtained from the District Clerk, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Completed applications for ballots must be returned to the District Clerk at least seven days before the vote and election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the vote and election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Early/absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.

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