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Binghamton City School District previews 2025–26 budget, cites 3.26% maximum tax‑levy limit
Summary
District staff presented the first look at the 2025–26 budget, outlining revenue assumptions, $3.3 million in personnel reductions and a possible 3.26% maximum tax‑levy increase; a public hearing is set for May 6 and the vote for May 20.
Binghamton City School District officials presented an initial 2025–26 budget overview Tuesday, saying state aid, tax levy revenue and appropriated reserves make up projected revenue and that the district has identified $3.3 million in personnel reductions to balance next year’s spending.
The presentation, led by district administrators, showed a “three‑part” budget breakdown — administrative, program and capital — and described how certain one‑time expenses in the current year (including school vans) reduce next year’s appropriated fund balance. Officials said the district’s maximum allowable tax levy increase could total 3.26 percent under current assumptions and noted that the district’s 10‑year average tax‑levy change had been about 1.4 percent prior to the proposal.
District staff said the budget reductions to date include a 10 percent cut to building and program budgets, a reduction of contract services where possible, shifting restorative practice services to BOCES to gain aid next year, and moving three grounds positions into the cafeteria fund. The presentation listed a $1 million reduction across contract services, materials and supplies in addition to the personnel reductions.
Administrators told the board they are using conservative state‑aid assumptions tied to the executive budget and that a separate assembly proposal to add education funding is unlikely to move forward; they said if the state budget passed and additional aid arrived before the district finalizes numbers, the board could reconvene to adjust totals. The timeline provided in the presentation sets a budget hearing for May 6 and the district vote for May 20.
Officials also walked the board through contingency figures showing significant program and service reductions that would follow a failed budget, and emphasized public outreach ahead of the vote.
Board members asked about supply‑chain and tariff impacts on paper and equipment pricing; administrators said they are monitoring procurement and could use reserves if necessary, but do not anticipate exhausting contingency reserves at this time.
The board scheduled no final vote on the budget at Tuesday’s meeting; staff will return with further detail as the budget process continues.
