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School official: district proposes 4.55% budget increase, $1M one‑time capital spend; no layoffs planned
Summary
A school official presented a proposed 2026–27 budget showing a 4.55% headline increase driven by a one‑time $1,000,000 capital allocation for elevator and gym repairs; the district said the package would not affect staffing and would not raise the tax levy beyond the legal cap.
The school district presenter (identified in the meeting as a school district official) outlined its proposed 2026–27 budget, saying the total levy request is $50,626,535, a $1,200,000 increase that equates to a 2.48% levy rise and an overall advertised budget increase presented as 4.55% when a one‑time $1,000,000 capital addition is included. The presenter said the district will not enact layoffs next year and described budget drivers including insurance, BOCES costs, utilities increases and transportation and benefit spikes.
The official noted the million‑dollar addition is a one‑time capital allocation intended to cover higher-than-expected bids for an elevator replacement and to complete deferred gym floor work. "We are not looking to cut anything next year," the presenter said, adding that the district is using saved funds so the one‑time million "is not impacting the tax levy." The presentation showed transportation costs up roughly 20% and utilities up about 30% as key pressures on the budget.
The presenter explained contingency options if voters reject the budget at the May 19 vote: resubmit the same plan, put forward an altered budget, or operate under a contingency budget that would force specific cuts (including prohibitions on purchasing some equipment and caps on administrative spending). The board and the presenter also described a ballot proposition to create a 10‑year capital reserve capped at $10,000,000, with voter approval required before funds are spent on any project.
The school budget presentation was followed by public questions about staffing, bus runs and the district's tax‑cap calculation. The board signaled the vote timeline and encouraged public review of the slides posted online and attendance at upcoming budget presentations.
