Elwood board adopts $79.4 million budget with 4.2% tax levy; vote 5-0

The Elwood Union Free School District Board of Education on the evening of the board meeting approved a $79,395,286 budget for the 2025–26 school year that carries a proposed tax levy increase of 4.2%, a figure that exceeds New York State’s statutory tax-levy limit of 1.29%. The motion to adopt the budget passed, 5-0.

The budget presentation, led by the district’s business office, said the proposed levy would raise roughly $2.2 million in additional revenue and noted uncertainty in final state aid until the state budget is enacted. “The tax levy makes up about 70% of our overall revenue,” the presenter said, and the district framed the 4.2% levy as necessary to sustain programs and long-term fiscal stability.

Why this matters: By law, a budget that exceeds the state cap must win approval from at least 60% of voters on the May 20 budget ballot. Administrators told the board that failing the budget would force deeper cuts or a contingency budget; the presentation estimated a shift to a contingent budget would require an additional $2,230,000 in reductions and warned that cuts at the 1.29% cap scenario would total about $1,500,000.

Board members and residents engaged in extended discussion over the size of the levy and the likelihood of voter approval. Several board members urged additional trimming to lower the proposed levy toward 3.9%, while others said the higher levy would better position the district for future years and help avoid steeper cuts later. The administration said it had already reduced the levy from earlier proposals (from 5.39% down to 4.2%) and had identified roughly $500,000 in reductions earlier in the budget cycle.

Key details presented: the proposed budget includes roughly $39.5 million in instructional spending and $4.9 million in debt service, and lists a capital transfer to address a failing auditorium roof at James H. Boyd Intermediate School. The administration said the roof replacement cannot be covered fully by the district’s capital reserve and must be included in the general fund transfer in the proposed budget.

Administrators also outlined contingency and process items: if voters reject the budget the board may either present the same budget again, submit a revised budget, or, if the budget fails twice, the district must adopt a contingent budget that limits nonessential purchases and would likely affect equipment, building and grounds projects, and some staff positions. The district highlighted that enrollment changes, special education placements and the results of the New York State budget (not yet final) could materially affect revenues and expenses.

The board set four dates for public budget forums at community-accessible locations and said it will distribute a budget newsletter and make staff available for one-on-one meetings to explain the numbers. The board also approved the related proposition language to present the expenditure to voters on May 20.

Votes at a glance: the meeting included several motions and unanimous votes. The board recorded the following actions (all votes listed as shown in the transcript): • Adopt 2025–26 proposed budget $79,395,286 (tax levy increase 4.2%, exceeds 1.29% state cap; requires 60% voter approval). Motion by LaPerznicki; second by Scarola; outcome: approved, tally 5–0. (motion text recorded in meeting minutes) • Approve property tax report card for 2025–26 as presented; outcome: approved, 5–0. • Approve donations from James H. Boyd PTA totaling $9,196.78 for a gaga pit and musical support; outcome: approved, 5–0. • Approve consent agenda (minutes, personnel and routine items) as presented; outcome: approved, 5–0. • Approve minutes of the March 27, 2025 meeting. Motion by Dr. Siddiqui; second by Mr. Weiss; outcome: approved, 5–0.

What the board said next: Following the vote the board president and superintendent reiterated that district staff will intensify community outreach to explain the budget and the implications of each levy scenario. The superintendent apologized for earlier communication timing concerns raised by residents and said postcards and a newsletter would be mailed to every household with information on the forums and on how to access the tax calculator on the district website.

Ending: With the budget adopted for public presentation, the board directed the administration to finalize the property tax report card and to continue the scheduled community outreach ahead of the May 20 vote. The district noted the final state aid figures will be incorporated if the state budget changes revenue projections prior to the vote.