Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chester UFSD officials lay out $41 million proposed budget; public vote set for May 19
Summary
District presenters detailed a proposed $41,000,000 2026–27 budget that would increase overall spending 7.27% and, after a tax‑cap exclusion adjustment, projects a 2.89% tax‑levy increase; the plan relies on $2.4 million in fund balance and a May 19 public vote is scheduled.
Miss O'Hara, presenting the district's priorities, said the proposed 2026–27 budget “brings together all of our prior discussions and a final proposed budget for adoption grounded in our district priorities and focused on student outcomes.” The plan, as summarized by the district presenter, proposes a budget of about $41,000,000, a 7.27% increase over the prior year.
The financial summary provided by the presenter breaks down projected revenues as a $22,100,000 tax levy, $14,800,000 in state aid and $1,200,000 in other items, leaving a $2,700,000 shortfall. To balance the budget the district plans to appropriate $2,400,000 from fund balance, use $100,000 from the ERS reserve and transfer $200,000 from debt service. The presenter also said a change in the capital levy exclusion reduced the district's estimated levy increase from 3.83% to 2.89%.
The budget documents prioritize expanding universal pre‑K (eliminating wait lists), increased special‑education staffing and supports, expanded career and college pathways (partnerships that can yield up to 40 college credits for students), investments in athletics and arts programming, and infrastructure and safety upgrades. Miss O'Hara noted safety additions included hiring an emergency planning technician through Orange‑Ulster BOCES and enhanced surveillance and controlled access systems.
Board members were briefed on contingency options if voters reject the budget: presenting the same budget in a second vote on June 16, revising the proposal and returning it for a second vote on June 16, or adopting a contingent budget (which would impose mandated reductions and prohibit a tax‑levy increase). The district scheduled a public budget hearing for May 6 and reminded residents the budget vote is set for May 19.
Votes at a glance: at this meeting the board approved routine procedural motions (adopting the meeting agenda and approving minutes) and carried consent motions including approval of the Orange‑Ulster BOCES budget and election of two representatives to the OU BOCES board; the proposed district budget will be decided in the public vote on May 19.
The board will discuss the budget again at the May 6 public hearing prior to the May 19 vote.
