Niagara Falls School District proposes $202M budget with no tax levy increase

In a significant move for the Niagara Falls City School District, Superintendent Laurie announced a proposed budget for the 2025-2026 school year that maintains the tax levy at $25,828,989, marking the thirteenth consecutive year without an increase. This decision comes as a relief to taxpayers, with no reductions in staff or programs, ensuring that all current educational initiatives remain intact.

The proposed budget totals $202,840,136, reflecting an increase of over $11.8 million, or 6.2%, from the previous year. However, when accounting for new debt service costs related to the Abofa capital project, the budget's year-over-year change aligns more closely with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at 4.18%. Superintendent Laurie emphasized the district's commitment to its workforce and educational programs, stating, "We need everyone that we have, and we're hoping that we can find room to even increase our staff."

The budget relies heavily on state aid, which constitutes approximately 81% of the projected revenue, amounting to over $164 million. This includes a notable increase in foundation aid due to recent changes in state funding formulas. Local revenues, primarily from property taxes and pilot agreements, contribute about 14.5% of the total revenue.

As the district prepares for the upcoming vote on May 20, officials are urging community members to participate. A failure to achieve a simple majority could force the district into a contingency budget, which would necessitate cuts to essential supplies and limit transportation services. Superintendent Laurie cautioned that such a scenario would significantly impact the district's ability to support students and the community.

With the budget's transparency and commitment to maintaining educational standards, district leaders are optimistic about securing voter approval. The community's engagement in the voting process will be crucial in determining the future of the district's educational programs and resources.