Baldwin Schools set to receive $6 million in federal funding

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Baldwin Union Free School District will receive federal Foundation Aid, forecast at $6 million, to help fund the 2022-23 district budget.

Superintendent of Schools Shari Camhi explained at the Feb. 9 budget work session that the funds would be devoted to multi-year sustainability of future projects. 

The district is awaiting the finalized state budget numbers, but its tentative spending plan totals $146 million, which, Camhi said, would include soffit restoration and removing unkempt areas at the Shubert School, resurfacing of the high school tennis courts and district-wide safety security enhancements.

Uses of the district’s capital reserve that need to be voted on include updated restrooms districtwide, and updates of the high school football field including an artificial-turf field, new home and away grandstands, a press box and scoreboard, and a new track.

Also up for a vote is a proposition by Camhi to create a reserve fund for the schools for future use, including updating technology every few years. The money would come from the end-of-year fund balance, and would not affect the tax levy — the total amount the district must raise taxes in order to meet expenses.

The unprecedented complications of the coronavirus pandemic last year were costly to the schools, which had to invest in laptops for one to one learning for the students, hire additional cleaning staff, and adjust class sizes to entire a safe learning environment. With that in mind, Camhi said, she and the board are focused on “sustainable multi-year planning” that will stretch funds for future use.

Cahmi explained more about the creation of a reserve fund saying, “because of the additional Foundation Aid we won’t be pulling money out of the reserve and fund balance, instead we will use that to make sure there is money there to balance future budgets or to add to capital programs in future years”

Patrick Orecki, of the Citizens Budget Commission, explained how ever-changing funds can become and what the state’s funds depend on. “While a 15 percent reserve fund is better than New York’s historically low rate of 5 percent,” Orecki said, “the state should be putting even more aside. New York’s finances are heavily dependent of taxes imposed on the stock market and in high-income earners, which are both less predictable sources of revenue.”