Onteora district proposes $66.48 million budget, cites one‑time $1M capital push

Onteora Central School District Superintendent Victoria McLaren presented the district's proposed 2026–27 budget to the Town of Shandaken board, saying the plan totals $66,481,500 and includes a one‑time $1,000,000 capital allocation for an "elevator plus" project and unfinished gym work.

"Our proposed budget for next year is going to be $66,481,500," McLaren said, adding that without the one‑time capital addition the increase would have been about 2.98 percent. She said the larger percentage shown is an ‘‘anomaly’’ due to the added capital spending and that the million dollars will not roll into subsequent years.

McLaren told the board the district is not planning layoffs and highlighted cost drivers that pushed the budget upward: higher insurance and BOCES costs, about a 30% increase in utilities and rising bus and employee benefit costs. "So slide 9, the capital work... we have $1,750,000 in the budget for capital work," Monica, the assistant superintendent for business, said while detailing capital line items that include elevator replacement, a deferred gym floor project and equipment purchases.

McLaren also reviewed the district's revenue picture, saying the tax levy is projected to rise 2.48 percent and that state aid is expected to increase modestly. "As of today, there is still no New York State budget," she cautioned, noting that tax‑cap calculations and Office of Real Property adjustments across towns can change the district's share of levy growth.

The superintendent outlined the board's options if voters reject the budget on May 19: resubmit the budget, adopt a contingency budget (which would immediately remove certain equipment purchases and cap administrative spending), or submit a revised budget. "If we end up on contingency... that would eliminate $394,000 from the budget right away," McLaren said.

The district identified about $1.75 million for capital projects including elevator replacement, the deferred middle‑school gym floor work and other repairs. Officials said bids came in higher than expected and that the district will rely on capital reserve planning and a proposed new 10‑year capital reserve (up to $10 million, voter‑approved for future projects) to minimize borrowing.

The board and school officials said public hearings and meetings remain part of the budget process; the budget will go before voters on May 19. "We are not looking to cut anything next year," McLaren said, stressing continuity of programs and supports for students.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 238; topfinish SEG 616.

Speakers quoted: Victoria McLaren (Superintendent), Monica (Assistant Superintendent for Business).