Pelham board finalizes superintendent's tight budget pitch ahead of April 21 vote

The Pelham Union Free School District Board of Education on April 8 reviewed the superintendent's 2026'27 budget and heard administrators ask the board to absorb an unanticipated special-education expense of about $273,000 rather than cut existing programs.

"There is a change in expenditures of approximately $273,000," the Chair said, noting the majority of the increase stems from special-education needs. Treasurer Jim said the district is legally required to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and must fund those services. "That expense is noted as well and that kind of is the makeup of where that $273,000 goes," he said.

Board members discussed the district's use of fund balance and a timing change for the district's bond anticipation note (BAN) that delays interest payments into a later budget year. The administration said the timing shift reduces near-term debt-service draws but does not change the tax levy amount presented to homeowners. "If we're not going to do that in June and this is going to happen in July or sometime thereafter, we're not going to have that interest payment for that borrowing" in next year's budget, Treasurer Jim said.

Several trustees emphasized preserving classroom-facing supports and mental-health investments while seeking minor savings elsewhere. Dr. Chan said administrators had produced a lean budget and would recommend specific items to add back if state aid or other revenues materialize before the April 21 adoption. The board set Tuesday, April 21, as the next meeting to adopt the budget for presentation to voters in May.

Upcoming steps: the administration and finance committee will continue to examine revenues and potential small adjustments, then return a final proposed budget for the board vote on April 21.