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Kingston City School District board adopts 2026-27 budget after debate over staffing and transportation changes
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Summary
Trustees approved the 2026-27 Kingston City School District budget after hearing that 59 positions were eliminated and 29 employees were laid off; the district highlighted transportation changes and a proposed levy increase as mitigation steps.
The Kingston City School District Board of Education voted to adopt the districts 2026-27 budget (resolution B78) after a lengthy presentation from district leadership about declining enrollment, staff reductions and plans to cut transportation costs.
Superintendent Doctor Catalino told trustees the district faces sustained enrollment declines and revenue pressure, and said officials had eliminated 59 positions across units. "We were able to, have 29 layoffs and we've laid off employees but the laid off employees will remain on our callback list for the next 7 years," the superintendent said during the presentation. He emphasized the board's priority has been preserving academic programs: "None of that will be gone. ... Our students will be offered the same things they're offered now."
Business office staff presented revenue and expense details and cited several drivers of increased costs, including employee benefits, transportation and debt service. Mrs. Carmen, who reviewed the slides, said changing bell schedules and reducing duplicate bus runs could yield significant savings; she described a minimum estimated savings of $600,000 from schedule adjustments. "So when communications are sent out ... it's important that people understand that," she said.
Trustees pressed staff about logistics, including how schedule changes would affect BOCES students and whether fuel costs in contracts would increase transportation expenses. Board members repeatedly complimented the cabinet for the work of trying to avoid program cuts while right-sizing staff levels: "This is a difficult vote for me," one trustee said, later adding that they planned to support the budget after seeing the districts planning.
The board also approved several related procedural items earlier in the meeting, including BOCES elections and administrative budget items, and the notice of public hearing on the budget and annual meeting. The budget resolution B78 was adopted by voice vote; the clerk announced the motion carried and the district budget was adopted.
What happens next: The superintendent told trustees the first day of school will be Tuesday, Sept. 8. District staff said they will continue to finalize implementation details on personnel notifications and any schedule changes and will communicate with families as plans solidify.
Votes at a glance: BOE 37 (BOCES election of at-large members): approved. BOE 38 (BOCES administrative budget): approved. B76 (notice of public hearing on budget/annual meeting/board election): approved. B77 (property tax report card): approved. B78 (adoption of 2026-27 school district budget): approved.
Note on transcript numbers: Several dollar totals and one large numeric figure stated during the presentation appear inconsistent in the meeting transcript (see audit). The article reports the figures as stated in the meeting; district financial summaries and the official adopted budget published by the district should be consulted for final, verified amounts.
