Cornwall board previews $92.99 million budget before May 20 vote

At a May 6 budget hearing, the Cornwall Central School District presented a proposed $92,986,803 budget and urged district voters to cast ballots in a May 20 budget vote.

John, assistant superintendent for business and budget, told the Board of Education the proposed budget is organized in the three required components — administrative, program and capital — and reflects an adopted tax‑levy increase of 2.75 percent that the board used to arrive at its revenue projections.

The budget matters because it determines next year’s school staffing, services and capital work and will be decided by district voters on May 20. The board has already adopted the spending plan to go out to the public, and the hearing provided the public review required by state rules.

John summarized the proposed figures and assumptions: $92,986,803 in proposed expenditures and about $90,497,199 in projected revenues, with the board proposing to use an assigned fund balance of roughly $2,489,604 to balance the numbers. He said the board’s adopted tax‑levy increase is 2.75 percent; the presentation noted a higher statutory maximum tax‑levy growth factor of 3.08 percent.

On revenue, John said the district expects an increase of a little more than $1 million in state aid and about $232,000 more in miscellaneous revenue, but final state aid figures were still pending at the time of the hearing. He also described contingency options if voters reject the budget, saying a contingent budget would require program and spending reductions and could be adopted at a 0 percent tax‑levy increase.

John highlighted a potential state budget change that would provide free breakfast and lunch for all kindergarten through 12th‑grade students and cited a reported statewide appropriation of $340 million; he presented an estimate that universal breakfast and lunch could save individual families more than $1,000 per child annually, depending on participation.

Board members and staff also reviewed a ballot proposition to establish a new capital reserve (the district identified this as capital reserve number three) and discussed ongoing special‑education placements and final contract settlement items. John reminded the public that detailed budget documents and presentations are available on the district website and urged eligible voters to vote May 20 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the Bridal School polling site listed by the district.

The hearing included questions about the tax‑cap calculation and whether state funds would be provided for any new mandates; John said the district believes it could meet likely requirements without major additional cost but noted superintendents would seek clarity and funding from the state for new mandates.

The board previously adopted the budget to proceed to a public vote; formal adoption by voters is scheduled for May 20.