Watertown board adopts $112.1 million proposed budget to send to voters; approves Phase 1A construction contracts

The Watertown City School District board voted to adopt a $112,121,818 proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year and to submit it to the qualified voters at a budget vote on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Superintendent Dr. Bill Sheehan told the board the proposed spending plan reflects both rising mandatory costs and investments the district says are needed to maintain programming and infrastructure.

Sheehan and finance staff said the budget is driven largely by personnel costs: salaries and employee benefits make up roughly 75% of expenditures. Health insurance premiums alone are projected to rise by about $6.3 million (approximately 20%), and special-education staffing and services account for the largest program increases, including a cited $3.9 million rise in special-education salaries and $2.2 million for teacher aides. The administration also noted an enrollment-related reduction in foundation aid of about $785,000.

The board approved a 2.55% tax-levy increase in the proposal, a figure the administration estimated would add roughly $29 a year to a $100,000 assessed home. Officials said the proposed levy was chosen to keep year-to-year increases predictable while preserving program stability.

On the revenue side, the administration plans to use available reserves and fund balance to smooth the transition as some grants expire. Sheehan reported a proposed increase in the use of reserves and projected assigned/unassigned fund balances that would leave an estimated $16 million unassigned at year end, down from an opening unassigned balance near 22% of expenditures. He emphasized that the district is balancing increased expenses, uncertain state and federal aid, and the legal obligations of special-education placements.

Votes at a glance - Adopt proposed 2026-27 budget ($112,121,818) for submission to voters (May 19, 2026): motion carried. - Approve property-tax capital outlay portion of the 2026-27 proposed budget: motion carried. - Approve capital outlay project for masonry restoration at Watertown High School and declare it a SEQR Type II action (6 NYCRR part 617): motion carried. - Award Phase 1A construction contracts (general, plumbing, site/earthwork, electrical): motion carried. (Transcript records motions and "motion carries" for these items; no recorded roll-call tallies appear in the public transcript.)

Separately, the board approved awarding the Phase 1A construction contracts needed to start early work on the district's voter-approved capital program. The superintendent and project team told the board that early procurement of long-lead HVAC and other items is critical to meet construction timelines. Contracts named in the resolution include Lawder Construction Contracting (general construction), Jay Cashman Contracting (plumbing), Crosby Brown Line Inc. (site/earthwork), and NYTRIC Electrical Contractors LLC (electrical). The board authorized the superintendent or board president to execute the contracts and related documents.

Why it matters District leaders framed the proposal as an attempt to maintain existing programs and staffing levels while responding to unavoidable cost pressures: rising insurance premiums, utilities, transportation, and mandated special-education expenses. They described using reserves as a temporary bridge to avoid immediate reductions to student-facing programs and to keep the budget predictable for taxpayers.

What's next The budget will be publicly noticed and a districtwide budget hearing is scheduled for May 5, followed by the budget vote on May 19, 2026. If voters approve the proposition authorizing the district's budget and related propositions, the administration said it will proceed with the capital project schedule and contract work as planned.