What’s next for Baldwin’s budget?

Baldwin’s proposed 2013-14 school budget of $121.6 million was voted down by the community in an emotionally charged election last week. The spending plan, which included a tax levy increase of 7 percent to support a $2 million uptick in spending from the current plan, received 1,945 “yes” votes and 1,538 “no” votes. 

Although a clear majority approved of the proposal, because it exceeded New York state’s tax levy cap (3.14 percent in Baldwin), a 60 percent supermajority was required for passage. The budget received only 55.8 percent approval.

Asked last week for his impression of the outcome, Dr. James Mapes, superintendent of Baldwin Schools, said he was not happy, but he added that his office was already back at work on a revised spending plan. The new budget will be put to a vote on June 18, but few details had been ironed out.

“The board will meet on May 30 to go over information from the district for a new plan,” Mapes explained. “Then they’ll make a decision what to ask for.” He also pointed out that at least one public budget hearing was required by law, but said that had not yet been scheduled.

The reason this week’s board discussion will be freighted with anxiety is that if a second budget proposal were to be voted down, the district would automatically revert to a contingency budget, which would allow no increases in spending over the current year. According to the district, because of cost increases — mainly in employee health care and other benefits — contingency would mean around $9 million less in funding.

“They could look to repeat, at 7 percent, or go for a 3.14 percent increase,” Mapes said. “They could also go for anything in between.”

While the board’s options are technically quite open-ended, he said, logic should help narrow them considerably. By rule, Mapes explained, the board could do anything from upping its budget request to going directly to contingency. But he seemed to feel that discussion this week would likely focus on a handful of options.