FAQ for Budget Vote

Budget Roadshows

Annual Budget Hearing: May 7 at 6 PM, Baldwin High School

or:

PTA Meetings

• Wednesday, April 23, Lenox PTA Meeting, 7:00 pm
• Monday, April 28, Middle School PTA Meeting, 7:30 pm 
• Wednesday, April 30, Meadow PTA Meeting, 7:00 pm 
• Wednesday, April 30, Steele PTA Meeting, 7:00 pm* (rescheduled from April 22)
• Wednesday, April 30, Plaza PTA Meeting, 8:00 pm 
• Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Brookside PTA Meeting, 7:00 pm 
• Tuesday, May 6, 2025, High School PTSA Meeting, 8:00 pm

Community Meetings

• Stearns Park Civic Association: April 8, 7:15 PM, Virtual
• Baldwin Civic Association: May 8, 7:30 PM, Baldwin High School
• Baldwin Chamber of Commerce: May 14th, 1:15 PM, Basil Leaf Grill Restaurant

If the community rejects the proposed budget, the district must adopt a "contingency" budget with a 0% tax levy increase and restrictions on equipment purchases and capital projects. For Baldwin, this means a budget reduction of $3,815,066, negatively impacting Baldwin's successful instructional programs.

A strong school system is vital for a desirable community, boosting home values and local businesses, making Baldwin an excellent place to live, raise a family, and/or start a business.

If you did not receive a copy of the Budget Beat in the mail, you can view an electronic version by clicking here (also posted on the front page of this budget information section) and/or calling the district's Public Information Office to see why you did not receive one: (516) 434.6014

Proposition #3 seeks authorization from the community for Baldwin Schools to utilize an amount not to exceed $450,000 from the Technology Reserve Fund established on May 17, 2022 for the purpose of performing the following projects: (a) New Chromebooks for 3rd graders; (b) Stylus pens for 3rd grade students; and (c) MedVision Medical Mannequins. 

Since this expenditure would be made from the reserve funds that already exist, Proposition #3 would be NO additional cost to Baldwin residents or the tax levy.

Proposition #4 seeks authorization from the community for Baldwin Schools to utilize a total of $18,100,000 from the following: (1) $10,647,867.94 from Capital Reserve Fund #4, established on May 21, 2019, together with all accrued interest thereon, representing all remaining funds from Capital Reserve Fund #4 and (2) an amount not to exceed $7,452,132.06 from Capital Reserve Fund #5, known as “Capital-2023”, established on May 16, 2023, for the purpose of performing the following projects: (a) Baldwin High School Career Tech Ed Center Addition (CTE); (b) Baldwin High School existing auditorium renovations; (c) Baldwin Middle School new turf soccer field (west of track); (d) Lenox Elementary School, A/C electrical upgrades; (e) Meadow Elementary School, A/C electrical upgrades. 

In order for the district to continue with its Multi-Year/Multi-Funded Capital Improvements Initiative, there is a need to establish a new Capital Reserve Fund for long-term planning of the district. Any future use of this reserve must be authorized by community voters. The Capital Reserve Fund enables the district to allocate a portion of its funding into a reserve account (akin to a savings account) for future use, thereby minimizing adverse impacts on future budgets in future years.

Establishing a new capital reserve would be NO additional cost to the Baldwin residents or tax levy. 

To learn more about Baldwin Public Library's proposed budget for 2025-2026, visit the library's website at www.baldwinpl.org/library-budget. Financial details and a letter from the trustees have been posted there  as well as in the Budget Beat. Questions concerning the library's budget should be directed to the library: www.baldwinpl.org/contact-us 

If you have any questions that were not answered in this FAQ, please contact Dr. James P. Robinson, assistant superintendent for business and administrative services, at 516.434.6040 or  email districtclerk@baldwinschools.org. We are here to help!