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Sachem budget presentation: $387.9 million proposed, $13.4M gap; fund balance would close shortfall
Summary
Budget staff told the board the district’s draft 2026–27 budget totals $387.9 million, leaving a $13.4 million gap; administrators proposed appropriating available fund balance and other adjustments to close the gap while maintaining programs and scheduling adoption in April.
At the March 25 board meeting, budget presenter Michelle (administration) reviewed the district’s curriculum and instructional budget codes and summarized the district’s current 2026–27 draft spending level at $387,900,000.
Michelle said the district projects $374,500,000 in revenues without using fund balance and therefore faces a $13,400,000 shortfall. She outlined several drivers: updated BOCES rates produced savings in some lines, a planned Chromebook refresh and other instructional‑technology needs account for a roughly $1.3 million increase, and salaries and benefits remain the largest share of spending (about 73% together).
On one-time revenue items, Michelle said the district realized unanticipated revenues this year including a $1.6 million property sale (Union Avenue), a $750,000 settlement from prior litigation, and a larger-than-budgeted state-aid payment that together contributed to a projected 2025–26 surplus of about $17.7 million. “We are going to be able to take all of that so called savings that we use to help balance the budget for the year that we’re in,” she said, noting about $1.9 million could be returned to unassigned fund balance and the board could appropriate roughly $13.4 million from fund balance to close the gap while preserving current programs.
Michelle reviewed next steps and timeline: the board will review student-activities and student-services codes at the next meeting; the board’s tentative schedule in the presentation included budget adoption on April 21, a budget hearing on May 6, and the budget vote on May 19.
Board members praised the line‑by‑line review and asked for continued analysis of student-activity lines and transportation options. Administration said it will continue reviewing expenditure lines and return with final recommendations before the adoption vote.
No final adoption occurred at the March 25 meeting; administration presented the overview and outlined the plan to close the gap while maintaining services.
