Cornwall Central board adopts $92.99 million budget with 2.75% tax-levy increase; UPK seats, teacher deals highlighted

The Cornwall Central School District Board of Education on April 24 approved a $92,986,803 proposed budget for the 2025–26 school year and voted to place it on the May 20 ballot, approving a property tax levy increase of 2.75 percent.

The resolution passed 7–2; Board member Tiffany Galliano and Board member Bass voted no. The district’s property tax report in the resolution lists a proposed tax-levy increase of $1,444,371 (2.75%). The district’s business official, John Fink, told the board the adjusted budget reflects a mix of recurring costs and four board-prioritized additions: one safety monitor at Willow Avenue, one split early-intervention teacher shared between Cornwall and Hudson/Willow, 20 additional Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) seats, and a raise to uncertified substitute pay. Those additions total about $271,000, Fink said.

Why it matters: the board’s adopted budget sets local spending priorities and, if voters approve the proposition on May 20, will raise local property taxes next year to cover the gap between revenues and expenditures. Board members stressed the trade-offs between preserving staff and programs and limiting tax increases; opponents cited concern for…