Board outlines 2026–27 budget calendar and adds staff, student input form

The Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District Board discussed the proposed 2026–27 budget calendar and a new process to broaden input from staff and students.

Board member Jesse presented a draft calendar that mirrors last year's approach: begin with a fiscal review, follow with instructional and department presentations (transportation, IT, cafeteria) and conclude with a composite budget presentation ahead of adoption. Jesse said the budget adoption target would be in April and that the board might keep one meeting as a regular board meeting and a paired meeting as a budget workshop, as they did previously.

To encourage wider input, Jesse said the district will distribute an online form to staff and students so "everybody can put their input" and have two months to submit ideas for the 2026'27 budget. "This year, we're going to do it where everybody can put their input, and we're encouraging everybody to to say, 'hey, this is what I need,'" he said. The form is intended to help department planning and to flag items that might be appropriate for PTA/PTO fundraising.

Several board members asked about seeing more granular documentation; one member requested line-by-line budgets before adoption to better evaluate department requests. Jesse said he will prepare additional material and a finance committee meeting will be scheduled to review grants and other budget elements.

Board members did not take a final vote on the calendar tonight; the calendar and workshop schedule will be posted and the finance committee will follow up on requested line-item detail.