Trumansburg board adopts $33.34 million budget, approves three ballot propositions and staffing changes

The Trumansburg Central School District Board of Education adopted a $33,341,081 budget for the 2026–27 school year at its April 14 meeting and approved related ballot propositions and personnel actions.

School business executive Amanda Verba said the proposed budget stays within the state property tax cap and relies on $1.32 million in reserves to balance revenues and expenses. She told trustees the district is assuming some state aid changes — including a possible prekindergarten reimbursement increase from about $6,500 to $10,000 per pupil — but officials presented a conservative plan in case those funds do not materialize.

Why it matters: board members said a single large cost driver — employee health insurance — has largely absorbed the district's capacity to raise revenue. "The one thing we could affect besides praying that the state gives us better aid ... was just consumed by insurance," a board member said, summarizing the presentation. Administrators reported health-insurance premiums were tracking at about a 9.75% increase over last year.

Board presentation and drivers Amanda Verba and finance staff walked trustees through the three-part budget (administration, program and capital). Program costs make up the largest share of spending (roughly $24–25 million of the total). Major expense drivers cited included salaries, benefits and higher contracted services in some areas; debt service was described as essentially flat.

Administrators highlighted targeted reductions and efficiencies that underpin the proposal: delaying or not filling certain vacancies, trimming some contracted services, lengthening device replacement cycles and other nonstaff reductions. The presentation also outlined planned adjustments in special-education and IT services and said some costs were recoded to grant lines (including PreK) where appropriate.

Staffing changes and capital priorities Finance staff described a proposed restructuring in the district’s IT department that would abolish multiple technician positions while creating a Technology Services Coordinator (1.0 FTE) to centralize oversight and support capital-project pre-planning. The board approved creation of that coordinator position at the meeting.

The board also approved allocating $100,000 from an internal transfer for a capital outlay project to address high-school flooring issues and damaged gym wall pads, which administrators flagged as an immediate building-priority item.

Votes at a glance - Proposition 1 (2026–27 budget): Authorize spending up to $33,341,081 and to levy necessary taxes. Motion: Stephen (mover); Dana (second). Outcome: approved. - Proposition 2 (purchase of two 65-passenger propane school buses): Estimated maximum aggregate cost $439,137, funded from vehicle reserve. Outcome: approved. - Proposition 3 (library levy adjustment): Specific levy amount presented and approved. - Creation of Technology Services Coordinator (1.0 FTE): Approved. - Acceptance of donations (Trumansburg Area Christmas Bureau $900 to nurses discretionary fund; two wrestling mats from Ithaca College valued at $2,500–$3,500 each): Approved. - Property tax report card: Approved. - Retirement incentive memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the teachers association: Superintendent authorized to sign; approved. (Where individual vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript, the board stated motions carried following routine voice votes.)

What trustees emphasized and next steps Trustees repeatedly noted the disproportionate effect of rising insurance premiums on their ability to fund programs: presenters said an increase in health-insurance costs consumed nearly the same amount the district could raise under the levy. The board scheduled steps required for the public process: if adopted at the meeting, the tax-cap filing would be submitted within 24 hours; a public budget hearing is scheduled for May 5 at 5:30 p.m.; the budget vote and board election are set for May 19 (noon–8 p.m., at the historical society).

The board approved the budget and related propositions that evening. Administrators said they will post more detailed revenue and line-item information to the district budget webpage following adoption.

Ending With the budget and propositions adopted, the board moved on to personnel and routine business and then adjourned to an executive session to discuss collective negotiations and personnel matters. The budget hearing will be held May 5 and the public vote and school-board election on May 19.