Valley Central previews $139.7 million proposed budget ahead of May 19 vote

Assistant Superintendent for Business Brad Conklin opened the May 11 public budget hearing for the Valley Central School District and presented the proposed 2026–27 budget, which he said totals $139,700,000.

Conklin said budget brochures and a packet of supporting documents — including the six‑day budget notice, property tax report card, estimated administrative salary disclosure, fiscal accountability summary and exempt property report — are available in district buildings and public libraries and posted online. He encouraged residents to contact the district office with questions and to review the materials prior to the vote.

Conklin and district staff walked through voter rules and logistics: voter registration is scheduled for May 12 at Central Office and the budget vote will be held Tuesday, May 19 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the high school. Under the district’s explanation of voter qualifications, eligible voters must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old and residents of the district at least 30 days prior to the election; the district referenced restrictions under section 5‑106 of election law for certain convicted felons and those adjudged mentally incompetent.

District clerk information was also shared: applications for absentee and early mail ballots are available on the district website; ballots must be received by the district clerk by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the vote, and requests made within six days of the vote must be picked up in person rather than mailed.

The district encouraged voters to review the brochure and budget materials and confirmed staff will present detailed budget information at building meetings and in upcoming mailings.