Carmel Central School District adopts 2026–27 budget and records first tax-levy reduction

The Carmel Central School District Board of Education voted April 21 to adopt the 2026–27 budget and a one‑tenth of 1% reduction to the district’s tax levy. Trustees described the package as both a continuing investment in schools and, for the first time in district history, a modest return of surplus dollars to taxpayers.

Superintendent Mr. Plunkett and administration staff outlined the budget process, noting a detailed multi-page spreadsheet and an explanatory slide deck that will be made available to the public and discussed at a May 9 community forum. The superintendent said the budget document is designed to make line‑by‑line information accessible to residents.

The resolution read at the meeting described the proposed school budget totaling approximately $152,751,505 and noted a year‑over‑year spending increase presented in the packet. During the discussion trustees emphasized that the board used surplus funds to reduce the levy and highlighted the budget’s fiscal transparency.

“By the end of the process in our committee, there was discussion around a potential tax levy cut,” Trustee Curzio said in a lengthy floor statement placing the vote in historical context. Trustee Weiss called the measure “much‑needed tax relief” for local taxpayers and praised the administration and board for the work that enabled the reduction.

A roll‑call vote was taken; the meeting transcript records Vice President Curzio, Trustee Douglas, Trustee Grasso, Trustee Magnano (name variant in the record), President Orser, Trustee Torpey and Trustee Weiss voting in the affirmative and the motion carrying.

Next steps: the administration said budget materials will be posted online, a video invitation and slide deck will be published, and the board will host the community forum on May 9 to review the budget in detail. The budget takes effect consistent with normal district calendar and budget‑adoption procedures.