Budget Information

2020-21 Budget

Development of Chatham Central School District’s 2020-2021 budget is currently underway. Information pertaining to the budget will be posted to this page as it becomes available.

Chatham Central School District’s annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election scheduled for May 19, 2020 has been postponed until further notice. On March 30, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order postponing school and municipal elections taking place in April and May “until at least June 1, 2020, and subject to further directive as to the timing, location or manner of voting for such elections.” We will provide updates as more guidance from the state becomes available.

2020-21 Budget Documents

Chatham CSD Reserve Plan (Readopted December, 2019)

2020-21 Budget Presentations

Budget Draft 3rd Part of Budget (Library, Transportation, Benefits, Tax Cap) – March 10 2020

Budget Draft 2nd Part (Technology, Cafeteria) – February 25, 2020

Budget Draft 1st Part (Admin & Operations, Property Tax Cap, Phase 1’s) – February 11, 2020

State Aid Projections – January 23, 2020

2020-21 Budget Calendar (These dates are subject to change due to the vote being postponed – March 30, 2020)

October 22, 2019Board Meeting 6:00 pm (budget calendar adoption)
October 30, 2019Finance Committee Meeting (contract negotiations review)
November 5, 2019Board Meeting 6:00 pm
November 21, 2019Finance Committee Meeting (financial reserve plan, preliminary phase 1s)
December 3, 2019Board Meeting 6:00 pm (adopt financial reserve plan)
January 23, 2020Finance Committee Meeting (state aid, ERS/TRS)
January 28, 2020Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. (projected state aid)
February 6, 2020Finance Committee Meeting (property tax cap, budget)
February 11, 2020Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. (1st part of budget – admin & operations, prop. tax cap, phase 1’s)
February 13, 2020Finance Committee Meeting (review budget updates)
February 25, 2020Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. (2nd part of budget – instructional, library & cafeteria, phase 2’s)
March 5, 2020Finance Committee Meeting (Review budget updates)
March 10, 2020Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. (3rd part of budget – transportation & benefits)
March 19, 2020Finance Committee Meeting (review budget updates)
March 20, 2020Petitions for Board of Ed. candidates made available
March 24, 2020Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. (special education & budget adjustments)
April 2, 2020Finance Committee Meeting (review final budget & recommend)
April 7, 2020Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. (adoption of 2020-2021 budget proposal)
April 8, 2020Submission of Property Tax Report Card to NYSED
April 20, 2022Last day to submit Board of Ed. candidate petition
Last day to submit petitions to have proposition placed on ballot
April 21, 2020Drawing of Board of Ed. Candidate names for position on ballot, 9:00 a.m. District Clerk’s office
April 22, 2020Voter Registration, 3:00-7:00 p.m. in the MED Elementary School lobby
April 23, 2020Absentee Ballots become available from the District Clerk in the Superintendent’s Office
April 27, 2020Copies of Budget and required attachments made available to public upon request
May 5, 2020Annual Budget Hearing 6:00 p.m.
May 12, 2020Last day to submit application for absentee ballot if applicant wishes to receive ballot by mail
May 13, 2020Voter Registration, 9:00-1:00 p.m. in the MED Elementary School lobby
Voter Register open for public inspection, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office
May 14, 2020Voter Register open for public inspection, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office
May 15, 202Voter Register open for public inspection, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office
May 16, 2020Voter Register open for public inspection, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. by appointment only
May 18, 2020Last day to submit application for absentee ballot if applicant wishes to pick up ballot in person, 8am-4pm Superintendent’s Office
Voter Register open for public inspection, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office
May 19, 2020Annual Budget Vote and Board Elections 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (POSTPONED UNTIL AT LEAST JUNE 1ST)

Property Tax Cap Information

Contrary to popular belief, the NYS property tax cap does not cap tax increases at 2%. Instead, schools must use a state formula each year to determine how much they can increase their tax levies by without having to seek a higher percentage of voter approval for the budget. This threshold may be different each year and must be determined by the District and submitted to the state by March 1st.

For 2020, Chatham’s projected tax levy increase threshold is 1.71519%.

If the year-to-year increase of the District’s tax levy (portion of the school budget funded by property tax) is at or below the number determined by the cap, a simple majority (50% + 1) of voter approval is needed to pass the budget. If the budget proposal carries a tax levy increase above the cap, a super majority (60%) of voter approval is needed for the budget to pass. More information on the NYS Property Tax Cap is available on the NY State Education Department Website.

Budget Information from Previous Years

2019-2020 Budget Information
2018-2019 Budget Information
2017-2018 Budget Information
2016-2017 Budget Information
2015-2016 Budget Information
2014-2015 Budget Information
2013-2014 Budget Information
2012-2013 Budget Information
2011-2012 Budget Information
2010-2011 Budget Information
2009-2010 Budget Information

Questions or comments about the budget?

Email them to budget@chatham.k12.ny.us