Randolph Central School’s 2023-24 budget has a focus on mental health for its students.

Superintendent Kaine Kelly said a big part of the budget is allocating resources toward student mental health as well as staff professional development.

“The biggest thing is to make sure we maintain our service and build on the service to students,” Kelly said. “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 budget includes an increase to the tax levy, which is below 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 said. “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 budget, district residents also will be voting on two board of election seats. The seats are currently 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 running for their seats again.

The budget vote will take place on May 16 from 2-8 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Kelly encouraged 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 said. “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 said regardless of people’s political or voting past, the school district hopes they care enough about the outcome of the budget vote because of the school’s importance to the community.

“Our school has high graduation rates, impressive assessment scores, and top notch extra and co-curricular activities,” he said. “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 said Randolph’s tax rate is the lowest in the region, and this year remains below the level 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 said. “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.”