Beacon City School District previews $91.85 million budget, warns $2.4 million in cuts if voters reject it

Superintendent Matt opened the Board of Education’s budget hearing on May 5 by describing the proposed 2026-27 spending plan as “a representation of what we value,” emphasizing investments in student programming, staff supports and steady district growth.

Anne Marie, the district business official, told the board the proposed general fund budget is $91,850,000, a 4.71% budget-to-budget increase, with the district’s tax levy at the state tax cap (a 4.4% levy increase). She explained the tax-cap calculation includes a state-determined tax-based growth factor, an allowable growth factor tied to the consumer price index (capped at 2%), and a capital exclusion tied to voter-approved capital projects.

Anne Marie said the district is using estimates for state aid because the state budget had not been finalized when the slides were prepared. She outlined revenue sources — local property tax, state aid, interest earnings, reserve funds and e-rate reimbursements — and noted the district budget is staff-heavy: salary and benefits account for about 75% of expenditures, with debt service roughly 7.5% and other departments the remainder.

The business official walked the board through potential tax impacts for median home values in Beacon and neighboring municipalities, calling the figures “worst-case” approximations using last year’s assessments and exemptions. She also described the district’s contingency options: if the budget fails and a revised budget does not win a second vote, New York law would require the district to adopt a contingency budget that keeps the levy unchanged and necessitates roughly $2,400,000 in cuts — likely reductions that would affect staffing, class sizes and program offerings.

The presentation included district program proposals that depend on budget approval: a proposed ninth-period day at Roundabout (health and study-skills/social-emotional classes), new electives and technical offerings at middle grades, expanded mental-health staffing, and several small investments such as an outdoor classroom and a wheel-alignment machine for the transportation department. The board was told hiring for those additions would begin only after the budget is approved.

Anne Marie also confirmed the ballot will include the proposed budget, a bus proposition to finance two small school vans, one large passenger bus and two wheelchair vans, and three board seats on the ballot (the presentation listed Eric Shatter, Germaine Wright and Caitlin Secor as candidates). District outreach plans include two additional budget information sessions (one in-person, one via Zoom), a budget mailer to households and reminders at school concerts to encourage turnout without directing votes.

Board members praised the clarity of the information and the staff work. Following public questions and discussion, the board voted to close the budget hearing; the closure motion passed by voice vote recorded as “Aye,” 7-0. The district will hold the budget vote on May 19; if a second vote is required it would typically take place in early June.

What’s next: the district will continue outreach through information sessions and mailers; if the budget is rejected the board may propose a revised budget before a contingency plan would be required.