Somers Central outlines 2026–27 instructional budget, forecasts $2M in revenue increases and April adoption timeline

Somers Central School District officials presented the instructional portion of the 2026–27 budget on Feb. 10, saying the instructional increase is “just shy of $800,000” while earlier non-instructional proposals showed a roughly $2.1 million rise.

The district’s central office official, Mr. Plutania, who delivered the presentation, said the budget must balance and highlighted the revenue assumptions that will drive the final plan. “When building the budget, it needs to be balanced. Revenues have to match expenses,” he said, stressing that anticipated revenue adjustments — a proposed tax-levy increase of about $2,000,000, modest changes in state foundation aid, and lower interest income — will shape final decisions.

Administrators walked the board through building-level program funding and service lines. They attributed most expense growth to salary and benefits, transportation and debt service; one-time transportation costs (a fuel-tank replacement at the bus garage) produced a spike in the 2024–25 supplies/repair line that will largely not recur. Mr. Plutania said contract transportation is budgeted separately and the district currently budgets roughly $300,000 a year directly for fuel and related routing software and GPS costs.

Special-education contractual services are projected to rise (the presenter said the ‘service agreement and contractual’ line increases by a little over $300,000) while out‑of‑district tuition costs are expected to decline as more students are served in‑district. Officials also noted BOCES service charges are variable and can reflect multi-year enrollment data for career and technical programs.

On revenues, Mr. Plutania said the governor’s proposal modestly increased foundation aid but many state and excess-cost aid figures remain uncertain until the state budget is finalized. A lower-than-expected Teachers’ Retirement System employer rate — reported at 8.24% during the presentation — will modestly reduce projected district expenditures.

Next steps and dates: the district will present a consolidated revenue/expense summary on March 17, make a final budget presentation on April 21 (when the board may adopt), hold a public hearing on May 5, and conduct the budget vote and trustee election May 19.

The administration said it will continue to adjust assumptions and close a remaining gap between projected expenditures and revenues as more state and local figures become firm.