Port Jervis board places $106.25 million budget on May 19 ballot; approves solar contract amendment, calendar change

The Port Jervis City School District board voted to place a proposed 2026–27 budget of $106,250,000 on the May 19 ballot after a roll‑call vote, and approved several accompanying administrative measures, the district’s assistant superintendent for business said.

John Tim, assistant superintendent for business, presented the budget framework, recommending a 2% tax‑levy increase and explaining that, under current state‑aid assumptions, the district would use about $2.7 million of fund balance. “If we get an additional 1% of state aid, that will decrease our dependency on that fund balance by that exact amount,” Tim said during his presentation.

The board conducted a roll‑call vote to place the budget on the ballot and recorded affirmative votes from members present. The district will hold a public hearing and question‑and‑answer session at next month’s meeting, Tim said, and the formal budget vote and school board elections will take place May 19 at the high school and HBE locations; voter registration is scheduled at the district office on the 29th.

In other business, the board authorized the board president to sign an amendment to the district’s contract with Renovos Solar after the district reported it had received state approval and the vendor requested minor clarifying language changes. According to the board discussion, the edits were procedural and “not beneficial or negative to either side.” The authorization will allow the president to execute the final contract when lawyers deliver the revised copy.

The board also approved an amendment to the 2025–26 student calendar, making Friday, May 22 a district holiday (creating a four‑day weekend). Board members discussed an unresolved question from the state about whether the district can recoup an additional snow day from Feb. 23; they said they are awaiting official guidance.

The board accepted a series of routine items, including acceptance of the independent single‑item audit for the year ended June 30, 2025 and approval of its corrective action plan, participation in county summer youth employment programming, and acceptance of federal and private grants (including a $10,000 Snapdragon Book Foundation award).

Votes at a glance - Resolution to place the 2026–27 proposed budget ($106,250,000) on the May 19 ballot: adopted (roll‑call; all present voted yes). - Authorization for board president to sign Renovos Solar contract amendment: adopted. - Amendment to approved 2025–26 student calendar (May 22 district holiday): adopted. - Acceptance of independent audit findings and corrective action plan: adopted.

What’s next: The board will hold a public hearing and Q&A on the budget at its next meeting and the district’s budget vote and school board election will be held May 19 as scheduled.