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Niagara Falls board advances 2026-27 budget, approves related safety plans and settlements
Summary
The Niagara Falls board voted to advance the proposed $211,260,990 2026-27 general fund budget, approved district safety plans and accepted state aid for a generator; the superintendent said the district will use reserves to bridge a gap caused by several unexpected costs and will not seek a tax increase this year.
The Board of Education of the Niagara Falls City School District voted to advance the superintendent’s recommended $211,260,990 general fund budget for the 2026-27 school year and approved related routine items and financial actions at its April 23 meeting.
Superintendent Mr. Laurie told the board the proposal had undergone seven internal reviews and framed the budget as a “one-shot” use of reserves to smooth a gap driven by several unexpected costs. “When you total those 10 things up, 10 items up, you get $400,000,” he said, listing a $450,000 child-victim settlement, a large generator purchase at LaSalle Prep, midyear increases in charter tuition and added special-education costs among the drivers of the shortfall.
The superintendent argued against raising taxes this year, saying the district retains significant reserves and has avoided layoffs. He briefed trustees on contingency options and explained that, by law, a contingency budget would cut equipment and some student-supply purchases, limit transportation to the one-and-one-half-mile threshold and require higher fees for community use of school facilities; the contingency scenario would reduce spending by about $344,600, finance staff reported.
Board members then took formal motions on a set of linked resolutions that included the proposed budget, the property tax report card, health service fees and a corrective action plan. After roll call, the chair announced the motions carried. The board also approved districtwide and building-level safety plans and the code of conduct, and accepted state aid tied to the LaSalle Prep generator purchase.
On legal matters, trustees voted to authorize filing a notice of claim regarding the New York Liquidation Bureau and approved several confidential settlements discussed in executive session; the superintendent said the settlements stem from sensitive child-victim claims handled by district counsel.
The superintendent and finance staff repeatedly stressed the district’s objective of preserving programs and staff while using reserves to maintain services. They noted the proposed levy change figures presented on the property tax report card and said a public hearing on the budget and safety plans is scheduled for May 7.
What happens next: the budget will be the subject of a public hearing on May 7 before final adoption steps; the administration said it will continue line-by-line reviews to identify savings and monitor state budget actions that could affect final numbers.
