Pelham board adopts $98.26 million budget to send to voters; levy kept tax‑cap compliant

The Pelham Union Free School District Board of Education voted to adopt the 2026–27 proposed budget on April 21, advancing a $98,260,000 spending plan that will go before district voters in May. Board chair Jackie asked for a motion to adopt the budget; after it was moved and seconded, Jackie called for the vote and recorded unanimous 'Aye' responses and no opposition.

Administration described a set of last‑minute adjustments that left the levy tax‑cap compliant while preserving core programs. Finance staff explained that the largest single timing change was pushing an anticipated short‑term borrowing interest payment — roughly $991,250 tied to a bond anticipation note — into the next fiscal year rather than recognizing the expense in this year's budget. As the business office put it, that change reduced the current year's appropriations without changing the tax‑cap levy target.

Officials said the revised proposal preserves program funding for special education, extracurriculars and communications. “We are proposing a tax‑cap‑compliant levy of 3.72% for the year,” the business office reported during the board presentation, and the administration confirmed the appropriation figure of $98,260,000.

The board discussion that preceded the vote emphasized continuing fiscal pressure from rising health‑care, transportation and special‑education costs and signaled that additional hard choices may be needed in future years if those trends continue. The board chair said the district will undertake a series of community presentations and “roadshow” events to explain the budget to PTAs and other groups before the vote.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 2556 / topfinish SEG 3068