Scotia-Glenville board hears $2.8 million budget gap, signals preference to stay under 3.25% tax levy limit as public urges no teacher cuts

Board of Education members in the SCOTIA-GLENVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT on Tuesday reviewed a carry‑forward 2025–26 budget that shows an approximate $2.8 million gap and signaled they would prefer to stay at or under the state tax levy limit of 3.25% if possible.

The gap, district business staff told the board, stems largely from a steep increase in prescription drug and other health‑plan claims and an unexpected jump in out‑of‑district special‑education tuition. District staff described health and dental costs as a major driver of the shortfall and said prescription drugs — particularly GLP‑1 weight‑loss medicines — accounted for an outsized share of claims this year.

Why it matters: The board must indicate whether it will propose a tax levy under, at or above the 3.25% cap when the district files its report tomorrow. Board members said they want to avoid raising taxes beyond the cap if it requires cuts they find unacceptable; members also stressed they need more information and further drafts before final decisions.

Drew (district business staff) reviewed the numbers and said the carry‑forward draft requires a 6.33% increase in overall expenditures and the gap to the tax cap is roughly $2.8 million. He told the board: "the…