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 presented as totaling about $965,136.

To balance the 2025–26 plan the administration proposed increasing the use of fund balance from roughly $1.2 million for the current year to approximately $3.75 million for next year, and drawing $325,000 from employee benefit and unemployment reserves. The administration cautioned that these moves reduce discretionary capacity and would require tighter spending control in 2025–26. The superintendent also noted the district anticipates a tax‑levy increase at or near the cap tied to a proposed $1.75 million capital project; the administration projected a 2.8% levy increase if the capital project proceeds.

Capital projects and facility work discussed included HVAC control upgrades at CJ Middle School, replacement of a high‑school alarm system (an estimated project cost described in the presentation at about $510,000) and a complete reconstruction of the district tennis courts (estimated at $525,000). The administration said the HVAC controls project received a small increase in cost estimates ($9,000) from the contractor and that soft costs (architect and related fees) remain estimates.

The board voted to classify the HVAC controls project, the public address system replacement at Goshen High School and the tennis‑court restoration as SEQRA Type II actions, each declared not subject to further environmental review under 6 NYCRR §617.5.

Board members also approved a package of routine and operational items on the consent agenda: acceptance of donations (Walden Savings Bank $500 for elementary Special Olympics; Goshen Rotary $1,179 for third‑grade pocket dictionaries), approval of an overnight trip for winter/spring track teams to the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, approval of budgetary transfers in excess of $105,000, approval of minutes and CSE/CPSE recommendations, and a contract to provide health services to students with White Glove effective July 1, 2025. The board authorized an employment agreement with Roy Reese to serve as acting middle school principal on a non‑tenure contractual basis at $700 per day, effective April 2, 2025 through no later than June 30, 2025.

The administration emphasized the timeline: candidate petitions are due April 21; the board must adopt the proposed budget at its April 22 meeting so the district can prepare public materials; a public hearing is scheduled for May 12 and the annual vote is May 20.

Why this matters: The budget presentation outlined a mix of personnel, capital and one‑time funding moves that will shape program offerings, staffing levels and use of reserves for the coming year. The board approved several projects and contracts required to advance facility work and to meet administrative deadlines for the budget process.

Votes at a glance (items approved at the April 7 meeting): - Consent agenda (minutes, policy updates, CSE/CPSE recommendations): approved. - Donations: Walden Savings Bank $500 (Special Olympics) and Goshen Rotary $1,179 (third‑grade dictionaries): approved. - Overnight trip: Goshen boys and girls track teams to Penn Relays, Philadelphia (April 2025): approved. - Budgetary transfers (aggregate over $105,000): approved. - Change start time of 04/24/2025 board meeting for Orange‑Ulster BOCES vote: approved. - Employment agreement: Roy Reese as acting middle school principal at $700/day through 06/30/2025: approved. - SEQRA Type II negative determinations for HVAC controls (CJ Middle School), public address system (Goshen High School), and tennis‑court restoration: approved. - Contract/service approvals: White Glove health services contract effective 07/01/2025; Land Associates plumbing space contamination assessment, $8,500: approved. - Calendar revision: district‑wide closings added 05/22/2025 and 05/27/2025: approved.

The administration and board stressed continued uncertainty from the state budget and the regional cost index; the board must adopt a proposed budget April 22 to proceed with public notices and the May vote.