Shenendehowa holds budget hearing; board to ask voters to decide on 2025-26 budget, bus and capital referendums

The Shenendehowa Central School District Board of Education opened and then closed a public hearing on the district's proposed 2025-26 budget, presenting a $223 million plan that officials said would increase spending 4.43 percent while reaching the district's tax-cap levy calculation of 3.29 percent.

''The hearing was led by Dr. Robinson, who explained the district's budget process and the major cost drivers. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

(For clarity: the preceding long quoted block contains Dr. Robinson's words as recorded in the meeting transcript.)

Nut graf: The hearing summarized how salary and benefits (about 80 percent of district spending), rising health insurance and pension costs, and the end of COVID-era funding shaped the budget outlook; board officials said they are using reserve balances and targeted allocations to bridge an estimated gap rather than making broad staff cuts.

Board materials presented at the hearing showed that roughly $75.1 million is budgeted for instructional salaries and about $35.4 million for noninstructional staff, with approximately $11 million earmarked for debt service. Dr. Robinson told the board that the district factored in a 10'to'15 percent health-insurance increase and the latest calculations for state foundation aid when building the proposal.

The board also outlined three referendum items voters will be asked to approve in an upcoming election: the 2025-26 budget itself; a bus replacement authorization, including plans to acquire up to 11 66-passenger buses and two electric buses (district staff said a state program will provide roughly $400,000 toward the two EV vehicles); and a capital project and capital reserve authorization to fund building-system work over several years, including roofs, HVAC, pavement, electrical upgrades and building-condition repairs identified in the district's five-year building-condition survey.

School officials said the capital project is intended as a multiyear effort; one presentation slide stated that work on approved items could begin as early as late 2027 and extend into 2030 depending on project phasing and approvals. Dr. Robinson noted that by law and regulation the district conducts a comprehensive architectural and engineering assessment of district buildings every five years and uses that survey to prioritize capital needs.

Public comment at the hearing included an on-the-record statement of support from Jessica Connolly, president of the Shenendehowa Hill Teachers Association, who said, ''"A robust and fiscally responsible budget empowers educators to deliver high quality instruction and fosters equitable learning environments for all of our students." The union representative also urged a swift settlement of ongoing contract negotiations.

Board members and administrators emphasized that the proposed budget relies in part on one-time reserve allocations and increased investment income to avoid program reductions. Dr. Robinson and board presentations said the district planned to allocate money from unappropriated fund balance, fund-specific reserves (including TRS and ERS reserves), and other sources to reduce the immediate need for program cuts, but they cautioned that those maneuvers require continued monitoring.

Ending: The hearing record shows the board closed the budget hearing and will present the questions to voters at the scheduled district vote. No final board vote on the budget was taken at the hearing itself; the district will publish final referendum language and voter guidance before the election date cited in board materials.

Sources: meeting transcript and materials presented at the Shenendehowa Central School District Board meeting.