Delhi board outlines $25 million-plus proposed budget, highlights $300,000 technology reserve and $7.65 million capital reserve

A staff member presented the Delaware Academy Central School District at Delhi’s proposed 2026–27 budget and three associated propositions, saying the district is balancing one-time short-term borrowing and ongoing aid while asking voters to authorize use of reserves to ease levy pressure. The budget summary included a cited total of $25,000,423,926 and staff described an expected budget-to-budget increase near 2.9 percent, driven in part by short-term capital borrowing.

Why it matters: Voter approval of the propositions would authorize the district to use restricted reserves for specified purposes and reduce the need for larger immediate levy increases; the board scheduled a public budget hearing for Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. and the budget vote for Tuesday, May 19 (12 p.m.–8 p.m.).

Staff told the board the second proposition would authorize up to $300,000 from a technology reserve to purchase interactive smart boards, Chromebooks and laptops; presenters said that would leave roughly $200,000 remaining in a reserve that was established at $500,000 and stressed that reserve funds must be spent only for the stated purpose. A staff member summarized the third proposition as a $7.65 million capital reserve intended to be applied to long-term debt to smooth future levy impacts tied to capital projects.

Board members asked whether reserve authorizations appear on the ballot and discussed outreach plans. A committee member suggested newsletter messaging and signage at polling sites; staff also proposed using social media and noted an upcoming Meet the Candidates event before the vote.

The presentation included context about one-time short-term borrowing and the timing of converting that borrowing to bonds, which staff said will normalize the expense profile over time. Staff cautioned that although matching revenue exists to offset capital expenses, accounting rules prevent netting that revenue directly against expense-line items in the budget presentation.

Votes at a glance: During the meeting the board approved routine items by voice vote: personnel recommendations (motion moved and seconded; recorded as carried by voice), acceptance of treasurer financial reports for multiple periods (motion carried by voice), and acceptance of the director of special education’s report for 03/24/2026–04/20/2026 (motion carried by voice). The transcript records the motions and that each was carried by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were provided.

Next steps: The board will hold the public budget hearing on May 11 and the budget vote on May 19. If voters approve the propositions, staff said the district will use authorized reserves only for the specified purposes and continue communicating details to the community.