Randolph Central School’s 2023-24 price range has a concentrate on psychological well being for its college students.

Superintendent Kaine Kelly mentioned an enormous a part of the price range is allocating assets towards scholar psychological well being in addition to employees skilled growth.

“The biggest thing is to make sure we maintain our service and build on the service to students,” Kelly mentioned. “I’m really excited to bring forth the budget. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an uptick in student mental health needs, and we are attempting to address that.”

The proposed price range contains a rise to the tax levy, which is beneath the tax levy cap.

“This small increase to the tax levy is part of a much larger fiscal strategy which will not only allow Randolph Central School to survive but to thrive in the future,” Kelly mentioned. “It is important to note that this is not a reaction to the recent fiscal stress we were put under the past couple years due to the pandemic nor is it a reaction to increased state aid revenues this current year. This is one of a number of proactive measures that have been put in place to ensure we can absorb market downturns, unfunded mandates and unforeseen crises for years to come.”

In addition to the price range, district residents additionally shall be voting on two board of election seats. The seats are presently occupied by David Adams — who has been a board member for 16 years — and Louise Boutwell — who has been a member for 42 years. Both candidates are working for his or her seats once more.

The price range vote will happen on May 16 from 2-8 p.m. in the highschool cafeteria. Kelly inspired the district to get out and vote.

“It is our hope that all of the residents of the Randolph Central School District come out and vote,” Kelly mentioned. “Simply put, because our school is just that — ours. Additionally, the school budget vote is true democracy in action. It is when communities, through the votes of their citizens, make major decisions about the future of their local school districts. Unlike any other government budget, school budgets aren’t final until their residents decide on them through their vote.”

Additionally, Kelly mentioned no matter individuals’s political or voting previous, the college district hopes they care sufficient concerning the consequence of the price range vote due to the college’s significance to the group.

“Our school has high graduation rates, impressive assessment scores, and top notch extra and co-curricular activities,” he mentioned. “Our school is the largest employer and a major draw for people and businesses looking to move to our community.”

He added, “Months of work and preparation by the school board and district employees come down to this one day when the community gets to cast their ballot. Not to mention there will be an opportunity to purchase a delicious chicken barbecue, the proceeds of which will benefit the Class of 2025.”

Kelly mentioned Randolph’s tax fee is the bottom within the area, and this yr stays beneath the extent that it was in 2010.

“The proposed 2023-24 Randolph Central School Budget is fiscally conservative but preserves and/or expands all student programming and the people who provide it, while keeping tax rates low,” Kelly mentioned. “It has been over a decade since the tax levy has netted any increase. To provide some frame of reference, at that time minimum wage was half of what it is now. If the Randolph Central School District is going to be able to keep volatility out of the tax levy in the future, small incremental but digestible increases are necessary.”