Byram Hills board reviews final 2026–27 budget proposal, including 5.25% tax levy and 18 FTE reductions

The Byram Hills Central School District board reviewed the final proposed 2026–27 budget during its April 7 meeting. Business official Kelly presented a budget the administration describes as a 1.1% decrease from the prior year in total spending, but one that requires a 5.25% increase in the tax levy.

Kelly said the district’s revenue base is heavily weighted to property taxes, which provide about 92% of revenue, with limited state aid (about 4%) and smaller amounts from payments in lieu of taxes and other sources. "Our real property tax, it's a 5.25% tax levy increase," Kelly said during the presentation.

The administration noted that 82.1% of expenditures are staff salaries and benefits; other line items include 15.4% contractual services, 2.1% supplies and equipment and 0.4% bus replacement. To reach the proposed budget level, administrators said they are targeting staffing reductions that total about 18 FTEs: roughly 8.8 instructional positions, one administrative and nine support staff.

Board members asked about the district’s use of fund balance and reserves. Kelly said the plan does not rely on additional fund balance to balance next year’s budget and estimated restricted reserves will fall to roughly 2.6% by year‑end while the district retains an approximate 4% unrestricted carryover. "That will just end up offsetting some of the use of restricted reserves this year," Kelly said.

The board was given the calendar for final steps: adoption on April 21, a final budget hearing on May 5 and the public budget vote on May 19 at HCC (6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Kelly told the board that the New York state budget remained unsettled and that small changes in state aid could alter final numbers before adoption.

Next steps: the board will consider adoption at its April 21 meeting and hold a public information session and the May 19 budget vote as outlined by administrators.