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Preliminary 2026–27 budget shows possible $3.5 million gap; state aid down
Summary
Business official presented tax‑cap mechanics, state aid expectations and preliminary numbers showing approximately a $3.5 million budget gap under a 0% levy scenario; major drivers include $900,000 decline in state aid (building aid falloff), $1.26 million contractual wage rollover and increasing benefits and equipment costs.
Mrs. May led the board through high‑level budget parameters for the 2026–27 school year, explaining that the tax cap uses the lesser of CPI or 2% (CPI currently ~3%, meaning the district would use 2% for the allowable levy growth factor). She said the district used November state aid runs for preliminary estimates and is awaiting the governor’s executive proposal at the end of January for final figures.
On revenue, May reported an estimated decrease in state aid of about $900,000 — largely attributable to building aid that had been deferred into the 2025–26 year and is not repeated in 2026–27. On the expenditure side she listed contractual rollover for wages at about $1,260,000, a benefits increase tied to wages of roughly $639,000, an equipment increase of about $600,000 (noting bus purchases), and a debt service decrease of about $1,600,000. "Right now we are looking at about a $3,500,000 budget gap, with a 0% tax levy increase," May said, calling that a worst‑case scenario subject to refinement.
Board members asked about 'save harmless' and whether the tax‑cap formula might be revised; May and the superintendent emphasized uncertainty pending state aid runs and ongoing contract negotiations. Next steps include finalizing the property tax cap (due to New York State by March 1) and deeper dives into revenue and expenditure lines at upcoming budget workshops.
