Monroe‑Woodbury presents $245.05M 2026–27 budget, proposes $2.6M roof project for Sapphire Elementary

Patrick Cahill, the district’s assistant superintendent for business and management services, outlined the Monroe‑Woodbury Central School District’s proposed 2026–27 general fund budget during the statutory public budget hearing on May 6. Cahill said the recommended budget totals $245,052,094 and calls for a school tax levy of $135,900,000, a 1.95% increase he noted is below the district’s calculated tax cap of 2.86%.

Cahill said the administration plans to use $1,990,000 from reserves and assign $1,600,000 of fund balance to lower the levy increase for taxpayers. “We’re proposing a levy increase of 1.95%,” he said, adding that the district projects generating enough surplus in the current year to apply the appropriated fund balance to next year’s budget.

The presentation summarized a multi‑phase capital program. Cahill said phase 1—completed—included security vestibules at four elementary schools, boiler replacements and renovations at the education center. Phase 2 work includes reconstruction of tennis courts, added lighting for athletic fields and a concession building, and planned roof and HVAC work at Pine Tree Elementary over two summers. He said Phase 3 will move to North Main Elementary to enclose open classrooms and add doors and walls, with roof and HVAC upgrades and a schedule that could fall in 2027–28.

Cahill described a ballot proposition for a Sapphire Elementary roof replacement with an estimated cost of $2,600,000, saying the roof has reached its useful life after a winter that produced new leaks and multiple patches. He said available capital reserves (about $4,000,000 unencumbered) and a remaining state aid allocation from the Xcel program (reported as $549,000) would be used and that building aid is expected to reimburse roughly 70% of the expense over the next 15 years.

On district fiscal trends, Cahill said the budget‑to‑budget increase is about 3.5% for next year and the 10‑year average change is just over 4%. He reminded residents that, after the board’s April 21 adoption, the budget goes to voters on May 19. Cahill also answered three public questions submitted through the district’s CrusaderChat about where to view budget documents (district website and mailed flyer), the timing and scope of classroom enclosure work at North Main, and the district’s balance between state‑mandated computer‑based testing and investments in STEAM and extracurricular programs.

The hearing concluded with board members thanking administration and encouraging residents to vote on May 19. The board then proceeded to routine agenda votes before adjourning the public portion of the meeting.