Central Square board adopts 2025–26 budget with 6.86% tax-levy increase

The Board of Education of the Central Square Central School District voted to adopt the district's proposed 2025–26 budget at its April 7 meeting. The proposal includes a 6.86% tax-levy increase the district says would raise roughly $2,200,000.

Board presenters detailed the household impact the district provided to voters: the district estimated an annual increase of about $92 for a $100,000 assessed home, $184 for a $200,000 home and $276 for a $300,000 home. "This 6.86% tax levy increase is what it's gonna take to do that," a presenter said while summarizing the budget priorities.

The board followed the presentation with motions and a roll-call vote. During the roll call on the budget adoption item (H5) the members named in the roll call responded "Yes." The roll-call names as read in the meeting record included: Steve Pien; Christy Fishman; Allison Douglas; Brian Mander; DC Murray; Ben Sherman; Dave Chapman; Lori Wood. (Spelling and formatting follow the meeting record.)

District officials said the increase would sustain staffing and program levels the presenters highlighted during the budget overview; presenters noted that staffing accounts for roughly 75% of the district's operating budget and covers "over 750" employees. The board also told the public the district will hold a public hearing window from May 6 to May 13 and a budget vote on Tuesday, May 20; polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at local polling locations and the district website (www.cssd.org) has voting details.

The meeting record shows the motion to adopt the budget was moved and seconded and that the board approved it by roll call. The district plans further outreach to explain the levy in the weeks leading up to the vote.