Pelham UFSD reviews 2025–26 budget line by line; voters to decide May 20

The Pelham Union Free School District Board of Education on April 2 continued a line-by-line review of the proposed 2025–26 spending plan and set a timeline to present a finalized budget to the board on April 22 and, if approved, to put the budget before district voters on May 20.

The review placed facilities, personnel and benefits at the center of the discussion. John Condon, Director of Facilities, walked the board through operations and maintenance line items covering custodial and summer help, grounds and building equipment, vehicle fuel, and contracted services. He told the board “we're actually finally at full staff, which is a nice place to be,” while noting several recurring cost pressures from fuel, light and power, and water service.

Administrators warned of several cost drivers that affect next year’s recommended budget. They flagged a recent increase in insurance costs (estimated in the budget review at roughly a 12% year‑over‑year increase for the district’s insurance line), higher health insurance costs (noted as about a 9% increase for active employees), and state retirement contribution rate changes. Jim, a business‑office presenter at…