Horseheads district seeks 60% voter approval for 2025–26 budget that uses $1.3M in reserves to avoid staff cuts

The Horseheads Central School District on May 8 presented a proposed 2025–26 budget that would increase the district’s tax levy by 7.4% and rely on $1.3 million drawn from the district’s debt service reserve to avoid cuts to staff or programs, administration told the public during a required hearing.

Dr. Douglas, a district administrator, told the audience, “This is our public hearing on the 2526 school budget. This is a requirement under New York State Education Law.” He said projected state aid at this point “is actually a negative point 4% or $192,210 less than last year,” and described the figures the board used to balance the budget.

The nut graf: The board approved the proposed budget to go before voters as Proposition 1, which the administration characterized as a “challenged” budget that requires 60% voter approval under state rules. Proposition 2 would permit the purchase of school buses not to exceed $1,900,000, funded through bonding and state aid as part of the district’s five-year replacement cycle.

Administration presented the key…