As the school year draws to a close, annual school budget votes take place. For many districts, budget approvals are little more than routine. But for Roscoe Central School, many learning opportunities and resources are at stake. Manor Ink sat down with the school’s superintendent, John Evans, to discuss the upcoming vote.

For the 2023 budget, Roscoe needed 60 percent of the community to vote in favor for it to pass: unfortunately, only 52 percent did. “We were about 24 votes shy of having the 60 percent super majority that we needed,” Evans said. This year, Roscoe’s tax levy is an increase of 5.95 percent, which is above the district’s tax levy cap. Like last year, 60 percent of voters must vote “Yes” for the 2024-25 budget to be approved.

In the past few years, Roscoe received federal grants and COVID relief stipends to fill vacant and new teaching positions; however, these funds will be exhausted in September. With passage of the 2024-25 budget, these positions will be secure and will guarantee the addition of new staff members. These staff salaries are included in the budget.

The Ink’s October cover story explained the hardships Roscoe Central School has endured due to limited funds. These include staff shortages, loss of programs like Band and Computer classes, and the elimination of sports teams. The Ink asked Evans if there are plans to bring back these programs. “Things we’ve lost either through retirements or budget issues, we do want to bring some of those back,” he said. “But right now, we’re not in a position financially to do that.”

One solution: multiple certifications

Though RCS may not be able to revive lost programs immediately, the school board is trying to hire teachers with multiple certifications to fill the gaps. “As positions open up, we’re constantly looking for people that have dual certification that could help us or we’re potentially looking to share staff with a neighboring district if possible,” Evans said.

As a result of the vote in May 2023, Roscoe’s athletic program was eliminated for the current school year. In the past, the Livingston Manor and Roscoe school districts split the cost of athletics, but there were no funds from Roscoe this year to help pay for sports. Roscoe players now represent the “Wildcat” name when participating in football, cheerleading, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball.

Another challenge is Roscoe’s declining student population. “Not as many kids participate in sports as they did in the past,” Evans noted. However, he plans to reintroduce sports teams if the budget passes. “This budget includes money to bring back a shared sports program between the schools. So we’d have games and practices in Roscoe as well.”

RCS ‘financially stressed’

From the state’s perspective, Roscoe Central School has been deemed “financially stressed,” meaning the district is in an unstable position. Passing the proposed budget would allow Roscoe to add money back into its fund balance and reserves. By doing this, the school will be in a better position financially to address issues and reserve money for possible emergencies.

The school’s capital project is a $1.7 million effort that includes plans to address building safety, student health and environmental concerns around the school. If the project is approved, in the long run debt can be relieved, reimbursed by state aid, and thus taxpayers would not be financially distressed. Project improvements would include removing and replacing asbestos tiles in the cafeteria. “There’s broken asbestos tiles,” Evans said. “They’re not hazardous in the state they are in, but you have to use an abatement process to remove them. So we have to take those hazardous materials out of the building in a safe way.” Other projects Evans plans to pursue are repairs to the building’s sidewalks and an upgrading of equipment in the gym.

“Our kids are the future, investing in them and their education is the best way to help turn everything around,” Evans said. “We’re not looking at it from a tax perspective, but as an educated population that is going to get us back on track.”