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Goshen Central School District presents 2026–27 budget with 4.4% increase; $1.9M in proposed cuts
Summary
Interim Superintendent Thomas Bongiovi presented a proposed 2026–27 budget that the district says represents a 4.4% budget-to-budget increase and includes nearly $1.9 million in reductions; estimated tax impacts and contingency-budget consequences were explained ahead of the May 19 vote.
Interim Superintendent Thomas Bongiovi presented the Goshen Central School District’s proposed 2026–27 budget at a public hearing, saying the plan focuses on maintaining programs amid declining enrollment and tight resources.
Bongiovi said enrollment has dropped by about 200 students districtwide since 2015 and that, despite the decline, the needs of incoming students have increased. He told the board and public the district prioritized preserving instructional programs and therefore made targeted reductions. “So almost $2,000,000, cut from the budget,” he said, summarizing the net savings from the review process.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Sabrina Van walked through revenue and tax-impact estimates under current assumptions, noting the numbers assume last year’s equalization rates and do not account for STAR or veteran/senior exemptions. Under the district’s estimate, a $450,000 home would see an annual increase of $535.07 (about $44.59 per month); a $550,000 home would see an annual increase of $653.53 (about $54.50 per month); and a $650,000 home would see an annual increase of $772.88 (about $64.41 per month).
Specific line-item figures reported in the meeting’s audio were garbled in the transcript; the presenters said the remaining gap will be closed using a combination of fund balance and reserve transfers. Bongiovi noted the board appropriated a portion of fund balance and reserves to present a balanced budget to voters.
The superintendent listed personnel reductions achieved via attrition: the district will not replace two full‑time elementary teachers, two full‑time teacher aides and one full‑time teaching assistant. Bongiovi also said the district plans to bring some communications functions that had been handled by Capital Region BOCES in‑house.
Bongiovi warned voters about contingency rules if a proposed budget fails twice: the district would revert to a contingency budget that limits the tax levy to the previous year and would require additional reductions; he said certain items (for example, some transportation and instructional-supply categories) cannot be cut under contingency rules, while staffing, extracurriculars and some equipment purchases could be on the table.
The board set the budget vote for Tuesday, May 19, with polls at the Main Street Building open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Bongiovi repeated thanks to staff, administrators and the community for input during the process.
What happens next: the board will present the proposed budget to voters on May 19; if the budget is defeated twice the district would move to a contingency budget and must identify further reductions.
