Sachem board reviews $387.9 million 2026–27 budget; vote set for May 19

A proposed $387.9 million budget for the 2026–27 school year drew a detailed presentation and public questions at the Sachem Central School District Board of Education meeting on May 6.

District presenter Mr. Sarakus said the proposal represents a $6.9 million, or 1.83%, budget‑to‑budget increase and includes a proposed tax levy of $221 million, a 2.0973% increase. "Again, it is within the formula. So, we are tax cap compliant, which means we just need a simple majority to pass this budget," he said.

The presenter said estimated state aid remains uncertain because the New York State budget process was still unresolved at the time of the presentation; the district used the governor's January proposal and subsequent updates to form its estimates. He reported an estimated year‑end fund balance of approximately $18 million arising from underspending and one‑time revenues; the district plans to use $1.9 million in appropriated fund balance and reserve transfers to close a reported $13.4 million budget gap in the current year.

Budget highlights include a planned $9 million transfer to capital for district‑wide boiler and roof replacements, CTE room renovations, IT upgrades and restroom work; the district also intends a Chromebook refresh for two grades (fifth and 10th). The presentation outlined sample taxpayer impacts by town, estimating roughly $140–$152 per year on the school portion of property taxes for typical assessed values in the district towns.

The presentation also detailed two propositions that will appear on the ballot: proposition one (the budget) and proposition two, a request from the Lake Ron Cona Historical Society to levy $45,000 for its operations and maintenance, apportioned across the district's three towns. "That is not part of the Sachem budget," a district representative clarified during discussion; the board added that legal counsel advised the district is legally obligated to include certain museum/historical society levies on the ballot when requested.

Board members asked clarifying questions about revenue assumptions, fund‑balance use and what a contingency budget would require. The presenter reminded the public that if the budget fails twice, state rules would require the district to adopt a contingency budget that prohibits capital expenditures, limits facility use with costs, and holds the tax levy flat at the current year level.

The board carried a motion to open the public budget hearing and later carried a motion to close it. The district said the budget notice (the six‑day notice) will be mailed and that the election/vote will be held May 19 at the Samoset Board of Education annex.

What happens next: the district will mail the required budget notice, host the May 19 vote at Samoset, and—if the budget fails—either present the same budget on the June 16 vote, revise it, or prepare a contingency budget as required by law.