Monroe‑Woodbury board reviews 2026–27 curriculum budget; proposes BOCES instrument lease and five more CTE seats

Monroe‑Woodbury Central School District trustees heard a detailed presentation on the curriculum and instruction portion of the proposed 2026–27 budget at their March 4 regular meeting, where administrators outlined building‑level requests, districtwide line shifts, and revenue mechanics that will shape the final recommendation expected April 8.

The presentation, led by the district curriculum team and building principals, highlighted several cross‑cutting themes: consolidating elementary ELA and math textbook purchasing into the central curriculum office; planned lease‑to‑own purchases of musical instruments through Sullivan BOCES to capture BOCES aid; continued investment in career and technical education (CTE); and special‑education cost pressures driven by increased tuition and out‑of‑district placements.

"My name is Alison Borello, and I'm proud to serve as the principal of Sapphire Elementary School," Principal Allison Borello told trustees as she introduced her school's budget, noting a slight enrollment decline and targeted increases to support music and art consumables. Principals from the district's elementary and secondary buildings gave similar overviews, reporting mixed enrollment trends and adjustments to per‑pupil multipliers that reduced some building line items while moving central purchases into districtwide accounts.

Athletics director Brian Wilson described program growth and modest budget pressure in athletics: "We offer 74, possibly 75 athletic teams for next school year," he said, outlining plans to add a girls modified flag‑football program and pursue a boys varsity volleyball team at the sectional level. The athletics budget was presented as roughly 5.9% higher than the prior year, attributed primarily to new programs.

Special education and PPS presenters reported an overall increase in students with disabilities and a proposed special‑education/PPS budget increase of 5.65%. Presenters explained that a substantial portion of the projected tuition growth is aid‑reimbursable: textbook aid (near‑100% reimbursement up to an approximate limit), BOCES aid (presenters estimated around 40% historically), and high‑cost special‑education aid that offsets some outlays the following fiscal year. Administrators emphasized that the budget shows gross expenditures and that state and BOCES reimbursements typically appear as revenue in the subsequent year.

District curriculum leaders also highlighted programmatic investments: a $77,000 increase to add five Career and Technical Education seats at the regional BOCES CTE program, and districtwide increases in music‑instrument inventories and maintenance. To manage rising instrument costs and qualify for aid, presenters proposed a lease‑to‑own arrangement through Sullivan BOCES for instrument purchases and an inventory system to track equipment across buildings.

Trustees pressed presenters on theatre and arts operating lines that have not grown with rising production costs; presenters agreed to review expenditures and clarify whether those lines should move to a multiplier or otherwise be adjusted. Trustees also asked for clearer presentation of aid timing and net impacts on the general fund; administrators said they will incorporate that detail as the April 8 final recommendation approaches.

What happens next: Superintendent Dr. Norman will present the district's final budget recommendation on April 8; administrators said figures remain fluid until that presentation and urged trustees and the public to view the March 4 package as an interim status report.

Provenance: The article is based on the curriculum and instruction presentations and Q&A recorded March 4 (topic intro SEG 142; topic finish SEG 919).