Rondout Valley Central School District proposes $82.1 million budget, asks voters to decide May 19

Rondout Valley Central School District unveiled a proposed $82.1 million budget for the 2026–27 school year that would increase spending by 2% and raise the tax levy by 3.82%, the district said. The district framed the proposal as designed to preserve classroom programs while staying within the New York State tax cap.

The district emphasized program preservation as its priority, naming rigorous academic courses, dual-enrollment and CTE opportunities through BOCES, award-winning music and band, arts, athletics and after-school clubs as “essential,” not extras. The presentation also highlighted social-emotional support services as a core component of student success.

"The proposed budget represents a 2% increase and is designed to maintain student programs, continue key investments in curriculum and support, and remain within the New York State Tax Cap level," the district said. Paul, who spoke during the presentation, added, "We feel like when students enter our system and leave our system, they're not only ready for college, but they're ready for their futures and beyond."

District officials pointed to persistent fiscal pressures: a decade-long enrollment decline of 343 students while staffing levels have not fallen at the same rate, and rising operating costs in areas such as health insurance, transportation and required services. To address those pressures, the district said it evaluated vacancies created by retirements and resignations and left some positions unfilled, which the presentation said saved about $1.8 million.

The budget narrative described several strategies to close the gap without cutting core programs: targeted use of fund balance and reserves; retirement and health-insurance incentives (including a shift to a higher copay structure); pursuit of a school-safety prevention grant; and plans for an energy performance contract meant to guarantee future energy savings.

The district also announced a structural change to its schools: it has eliminated the intermediate-school grade configuration and will create a unified grades 4–8 middle school to align student experiences and consolidate resources.

In a high-level breakdown of spending, the presentation estimated about 15% of the budget supports facilities and operations, 10% covers administrative costs and roughly 75% is directed to student programs and instruction.

The budget proposal results in a 3.82% tax levy increase, which the district said is at the tax-cap level and "will need a simple majority voter approval." Eligible voters can cast ballots on Tuesday, May 19 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the district office, 122 Kyserike Road in Accord; early mail-in absentee ballots are available and additional details are posted on the district website.

The district closed by thanking the community and encouraging turnout for the vote and the Board of Education election on May 19. No formal board vote on the budget was reported in the presentation; the proposal will be decided by resident voters.