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Beacon City School District proposes $91.85M 2026–27 budget; 4.47% levy increase at cap and $640,000 bus proposition on ballot
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Summary
District leaders presented a proposed $91.85 million budget for 2026–27 that they said would push the levy to the legal cap (4.47%) and include a $640,000 bus proposition; the budget vote and three school-board seats are scheduled for May 19.
Superintendent Matt Landau and Deputy Superintendent and business official Anne Rick Korder Ernie presented the Beacon City School District27s proposed 202627 budget, saying it would total about $91,850,000 and that the proposed tax-levy increase of 4.47% is at the state tax cap.
"The tax levy increase is 4.47%, which is at the tax cap," said Anne Rick Korder Ernie, the district27s deputy superintendent and business official, while walking viewers through the tax-cap calculation and the capital exclusion that allows levy growth to cover debt service on voter-approved projects.
Why it matters: the proposed budget funds personnel and programs the district called central to instruction and student supports while matching debt payments for a previously approved capital project. Officials said salaries and benefits make up about 75% of expenditures and debt service about 7.5%.
Key numbers and fiscal impacts: presenters listed a budget-to-budget increase of roughly 4.71% and the 4.47% levy figure after tax-cap calculations. Using last year27s assessments as a worst-case scenario, Ernie said the average Beacon homeowner would see about a $213 annual increase; Fishkill would see a similar change and Wappingers about $244. Ernie noted that new properties on the tax rolls or updated assessments can reduce those impacts and that state aid remains uncertain until New York27s state budget is finalized.
Ballot items and schedule: Landau said voters will decide the 202627 budget, a $640,000 bus proposition and three open school-board seats on Tuesday, May 19; petitions for board candidates were due April 29. He also reminded the public that the BOCES budget vote occurs the previous Tuesday and that the district will hold additional information sessions before the vote.
Bus proposition and transportation items: Ernie described the bus proposition as a request to finance one 72-passenger bus, two small school vans and two wheelchair-access vans (the district said one wheelchair van has failed and another is aging). The $640,000 purchase would be financed over five years with a bond anticipation note so transportation aid and expenses align. The package also includes an in-house wheel-alignment machine and upgraded routing software to improve parent communications about bus arrival times.
Revenue picture and uncertainties: Ernie reviewed revenue sources, including local property taxes at the cap scenario, estimated state aid (not finalized), interest earnings and use of reserves. The presentation referenced a previously passed capital project (roughly $49 million) whose debt service affects the levy calculation.
Capital projects and facilities work: Landau said the district is installing a new HVAC system at Beacon High School, adding secure-entry systems to five buildings (Glenham completed last summer), beginning air-conditioning work at two elementary schools with some tasks continuing into the school year, and planning field and theater improvements including turf and drainage work.
Next steps: district leaders asked residents to review materials on the budget website, submit questions by email or via the Q&A function used during the session, and attend upcoming informational sessions ahead of the May 19 vote.
