Goshen board reviews 2025–26 budget shortfall, approves projects and calendar adjustments ahead of April 22 budget adoption

At the April 7 Goshen Central School District Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Curtis Coates and district finance staff updated the board on the 2025–26 budget outlook, proposed capital projects and staffing adjustments. The board approved several motions on projects, contracts, donations and calendar changes needed ahead of the district's April 22 deadline to adopt a proposed budget.

Dr. Curtis Coates said the district had budgeted four emergency closing days and proposed returning two unused emergency closing days to the calendar by adding district‑wide closings on May 22 and May 27, 2025. The board subsequently approved a revision to the 2024–25 student calendar reflecting those closings.

In a detailed budget briefing, district staff presented the 2025–26 expenditure projection of $104,164,310 and noted revenue uncertainty tied to the state budget and regional cost index calculations. The administration identified a combination of attrition and targeted reductions intended to narrow the shortfall: $325,791 in reductions through attrition (retirements not being replaced), additional reductions of approximately $639,345 targeted primarily at hourly teacher‑aide positions, and other discretionary spending cuts exceeding $2,000,000. Together those attrition and reduction measures were…