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Sewanhaka board reviews proposed budget showing roughly 5% increase; $15M capital reserve proposed
Summary
District officials presented a three‑part budget showing an overall ~5% increase driven by program and contractual costs, outlined revenue assumptions including roughly $82 million in state aid and a $173 million tax levy figure, and proposed a $15 million capital reserve available over 10 years; the budget will proceed toward public disclosure and the May 19 vote.
Sewanhaka Central High School District officials on March 24 presented a second, detailed look at next year’s proposed budget, describing a three‑part plan that officials said would raise overall spending by about 5 percent.
"It’s a three‑part budget," said Mr. Leader, the presentation lead, describing administrative, program and capital components. The administrative portion is forecast to increase about 4.6 percent, the program portion about 5.6 percent, and the capital portion about 3.59 percent, according to materials shown to the board.
The district attributed the program increase to higher special‑education costs (including out‑of‑district placements and contractual tuitions), transportation cost increases, and other contractual obligations. Mr. Leader said the program section covers classroom instruction, student support services, instruction technology and extracurricular programs.
Kevin O’Brien, from the business office, said the district expects approximately $82 million in state aid next year and described specific aid categories—building aid, transportation aid and high‑cost aid—as contributing to that total. Local revenue assumptions shown in the presentation included a tax levy figure of about $173 million, $3.4 million in PILOT income, a $7.1 million appropriation from fund balance, and $6.2 million in applied reserves.
Officials also highlighted a capital reserve proposition that would preserve up to $15 million over 10 years to fund projects without an immediate tax impact. The district listed likely uses including air‑conditioning in five school auditoriums, athletic field work, cafeteria furniture replacement, plumbing and HVAC improvements, and priority items identified in a five‑year facilities plan.
Board members were invited to review the capital list ahead of the public vote; Mr. Leader said a typical annual capital allocation is about $2 million and that the list of projects would be presented to voters as part of the May budget vote. The board’s next public meeting and the formal budget adoption meeting were announced for April 21, 2026.
The presentation closed with the board and staff noting they will continue to refine assumptions and provide further detail to the public before the May 19 budget vote.
