Utica City School District board postpones consideration of 2026–27 budget and votes to enter executive session

The Utica City School District held a special meeting to consider its February budget but postponed action after board members said suggested changes were received only at the meeting and had not been posted publicly, the board’s chair said.

"We just received the changes at the meeting today," the Chair said, adding, "So I think we need to pick another date next week" to allow the proposed budget, with the Board’s changes, to be posted on the district website. The Chair asked for a motion to table consideration of the 2026–27 school district budget.

The Clerk responded that "there's nothing up for consideration, so nothing needs to be tabled," signaling a procedural dispute about whether the budget item was then properly before the board. After members discussed availability, the board agreed to hold a follow-up meeting on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to allow time for posting the revised proposed budget.

The Clerk, also noting an impact on the policy committee, said a policy committee meeting scheduled for the day had been rescheduled to accommodate the special meeting and that delays in preparing materials had delayed both bodies' work. "Those being the two paramount functions of the board of education, the budget and policy," the Clerk said, expressing disappointment in the delays.

The Clerk moved that the board go into executive session to discuss the matter; the Chair seconded. After a voice vote in which board members present answered "Aye," the Chair declared the motion carried and directed members to remain for executive session. The Clerk had called roll earlier; five members were recorded as present and one member, Donald Ross, was excused.

No formal budget action was taken during the public portion of the meeting. The board directed that the revised proposed budget be posted on the district website before the scheduled follow-up meeting.