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Chappaqua Board previews $150M-plus 2026–27 budget with 2.99% levy; trustees ask for more detail
Summary
The Chappaqua Central School District proposed a $150M+ 2026–27 budget (3.97% increase, 2.99% tax-levy increase) with a debt-service 'bubble' next year; trustees requested additional scenarios on levy vs. inflation and a fuller fund-balance plan ahead of the March 25 work session.
The Chappaqua Central School District presented a proposed 2026–27 budget on Wednesday that totals a little over $150 million, a budget-to-budget increase of about 3.97% and a proposed tax‑levy increase of 2.99 percent.
Administration said salaries and benefits account for more than 70% of the district’s spending and that some pressure next year stems from a scheduled increase in debt service tied to recent capital projects. District staff proposed offsetting much of the near-term increase with building-aid receipts, restricted reserves and a one-time use of debt-service reserve funds.
Board members pressed staff for more detail on the tax impact and reserve strategy. Trustee Tim (S6) requested a work-session analysis showing what a levy increase equivalent to inflation would look like for homeowners and how it would change the district’s ability to rebuild restricted reserves; the administration agreed to produce the requested scenarios for the March 25 work session.
Administration also reviewed contingency rules should voters reject the budget: a failed vote would require a contingency budget that cannot increase the prior year levy and likely would force reductions in purchases, capital transfers and personnel. Staff explained the timing for voter registration and noted that the budget vote is set for May 19, with petition and registration deadlines on district schedule slides.
The presentation included a review of major revenue and expense drivers: projected increases from NYSER insurance premiums, higher coach/athletics transportation costs, a slightly higher BOCES allocation and a modest rise in employee-benefit costs. Administrators said they expect a modest projected surplus at year-end after planned transfers and reimbursements and reaffirmed the district’s triple-A financing rating.
Next steps: trustees directed staff to follow up with (1) a clearer reserve schedule and a list of the bonds and projects that drive the current debt-service schedule, (2) tax‑impact scenarios requested for the work session, and (3) a fuller breakdown of the budget lines that feed the contingency options. The board will continue budget discussion during the March 25 work session and plans to vote to adopt the budget on April 8 and present it for the May 19 referendum.
