Board adopts proposed $24.8 million 2026–27 budget, approves contingent plan and ballot propositions

The Board of Education of the Manchester‑Shortsville Central School District voted to adopt the proposed 2026–27 budget, described in the meeting as totaling $24,832,602, and approved a contingent budget option noted as approximately $229,593 less than the proposed figure.

The vote followed a detailed budget presentation that walked through line items and the district’s budget calendar. District staff told the board the equipment line (items costing more than $1,000) in the draft is set at $349,000 and that the budget’s program spending accounts for roughly 71% of expenditures. The presentation also described revenue uncertainty tied to the New York State budget and noted a tax‑cap assumption near 4.1%.

District staff reviewed the calendar for voters and candidates: the property‑tax report card will be filed shortly after the board’s approval, petitions for board candidates are due to the district clerk by 5:00 p.m. on April 20, copies of the budget will be made available in the community and online after the budget is completed April 30, a public budget hearing is scheduled for May 17, and the community vote is set for May 19 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the auditorium foyer.

On staffing and program impacts, administrators said the draft assumes salary increases (presented as 6.47% for one line item) and rising benefit costs driven primarily by health insurance; they listed hiring priorities for 2026–27 including a 1.0 special‑education teacher, a 1.0 math teacher, a 1.0 nurse and a 1.0 psychologist, and noted contingency plans (such as a paid intern) if some positions cannot be filled.

The board also authorized propositions to appear on the May ballot, including the purchase of two 65‑passenger diesel buses with an upper cost limit presented in the meeting as $412,000. The board referenced a previously signed letter of intent that would lock pricing for a bus purchase if the proposition passes.

The meeting record shows the motions and that votes were taken; the transcript records the board calling for the question and notes at least one opposition comment in the room but does not include a full roll‑call tally in the provided excerpt. The adopted contingent budget was described in the meeting as a 0% tax‑increase scenario with limitations (no nonessential equipment purchases and no field trips) that would apply if voters reject the primary budget.

Next steps: the district will finalize printed budget materials and post them to its website, hold the May 17 budget hearing and run the community vote on May 19.