Shenendehowa board adopts roughly $223 million 2025-26 budget, places capital projects and bus purchase before voters

The SHENENDEHOWA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education on the evening of the meeting adopted its proposed 2025-26 budget of about $223 million and approved ballot propositions that will go to voters, including a capital project and a capital project reserve.

The budget, presented by Dr. Robinson, remains inside the district's 3.29% tax cap and relies on a combination of property tax levy, state aid (foundation aid pending the state budget), federal funding and reserves to balance projected expenditures. "We have been waiting and watching to see what happens at the state level," Dr. Robinson said while walking the board and public through assumptions and risks underlying the proposal.

Why it matters: The budget funds staffing, special-education supports, mental health partnerships, facility work and transportation. Dr. Robinson told the board that personnel and health-insurance costs are the largest drivers of the budget and described the district's approach as a "measured approach" intended to provide predictable, repeatable outcomes for students.

Key elements and context

- Size and cap: The proposed budget was described as roughly $223,000,000 and presented as compliant with the district's 3.29% tax-cap limit. Dr. Robinson said the district may reconvene if the final state budget produces a material change in foundation-aid amounts.

- Use of reserves: Because of volatility in state and federal funding and in health-insurance markets, staff said the district plans to use targeted reserves to smooth any short-term expenditure/revenue gap rather than cut ongoing student programs.

- Special education and mental health: The presentation highlighted continued investment in special-education services for younger learners and plans to expand mental-health capacity, including moving a part-time partner position to full time.

- Transportation and bus electrification: The referendum includes a bus purchase proposition with language that allows the district to apply for New York State funding; if awarded, the district would purchase up to two electric buses. Dr. Robinson noted infrastructure and power-capacity constraints affect how many electric buses the district can take on immediately.

- Capital project: The referendum package includes a capital project proposal (the presentation referenced an approximately $85 million project with about $50 million earmarked for facility-condition work such as plumbing, roofs, HVAC, electrical distribution and paving). Staff emphasized that passing a project in 2025 does not mean construction will begin immediately; planning and phasing can push work into later years.

Board action and votes

- The board adopted the 2025-26 budget and referendum proposal (motion mover: Naomi; second: Carmel). The motion passed, 7-0.

- The board also adopted the New York State property tax report card required for filing with the state (motion passed, 7-0).

- The board discussed a contingency in the bus-purchase proposition permitting the district to apply for state funds and buy electric buses if grants arrive; that contingency is written into the proposition language as presented.

What the superintendent said

Dr. Robinson framed the work around the district's mission and emphasized predictable decision-making: "The budget starts and stops with engagement opportunities. How do we create the best situation that our students can have the best opportunity to learn and grow?" He also warned that health-insurance estimates remain volatile and said the district is monitoring rates into January before finalizing assumptions.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt 2025-26 budget and referendum proposal: approved (7-0). - Adopt New York State property tax report card: approved (7-0). - Motion to amend capital-project documentation (correcting a numeric item in the resolution language): approved (7-0).

What comes next

The budget and referendum propositions will appear on the May 20 ballot as presented. If the state finalizes the foundation-aid numbers with a material increase to the district's allocation, board leadership said staff may ask the board to reconvene to consider adjustments. The district will post the presentation and provide additional budget details at the next study session.

Ending note

Board members and staff repeatedly framed the budget as preserving the district's core programs while using reserves strategically to protect services during a period of fiscal uncertainty.