Bill > A06385

This bill requires the Buffalo Board of Education to submit its annual school district budget to voters for approval before adoption, establishing a specific process for budget development, presentation, and potential voter rejection. Under the new law, the annual school district meeting and election will be held on the third Tuesday of May (or second Tuesday if there are religious observance conflicts), and the proposed budget must be presented in three distinct components: administrative, program, and capital. If voters reject the initial budget, the board can propose a revised budget or adopt a contingency budget, with a maximum of two budget submission attempts. The contingency budget must include essential expenses such as teachers' salaries, legally mandated costs, instructional materials, educational program maintenance, and other critical operational needs. The bill provides detailed guidelines for what can be included in each budget component and establishes a process for the commissioner of education to resolve any disputes about what constitutes an "ordinary contingent expense." This legislation gives Buffalo voters more direct input into the school district's financial planning while ensuring that essential educational services continue to be funded even if a budget is not initially approved.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6385