What is the 2026-27 School Year Budget?
The budget is $176,358,814. It is a 3.48% tax levy increase and a 3.40% increase over last year’s budget.
For the average homeowner, with no additional tax exemptions, this will result in an annual increase of $7.30 annually per $1000 assessed property value.
Why is the proposed tax levy increase higher than in recent years?
- Low tax levies in prior years were supported by temporary federal COVID relief funds and New York State Foundation Aid adjustments.
- As these temporary funds sunset, the budget must now reflect ongoing operational costs and rising expenses.
- The tax rate is being adjusted to reflect realistic changes, as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has continued to rise at a rate higher than the tax cap over the last few years.
What are the primary cost drivers in the proposed budget?
- Salaries and benefits are the largest segment of the budget.
- Transportation is the third largest expense, influenced by the growth in students attending over 100 non-public schools.
- Special Education is the fourth largest expense.
- BOCES services are projected to increase by 4–5%, and costs for healthcare and liability insurance are also rising.
What programs and offerings are included in the proposed budget?
The budget allows for maintaining current services and introducing key enhancements:
- High School (SHS): Maintaining all AP courses, introducing AP Cyber, and reintroducing Wood Tech as a CTE Pathway.
- Middle School (SMS): Adjusting the Flex period in the schedule to provide additional academic support.
- Elementary (K-5): Expanding Dual Language to grade 2, adding Instructional Coaching and a STEM special, and adding an Assistant Principal.
- Athletics: Broadening offerings to include unified basketball and girls wrestling.
What is being done to reduce the tax impact and create efficiencies?
The proposed efficiencies include:
- A net reduction of three professional staff positions through attrition
- An expanded focus on residency.
- Seeking additional rental revenues.
- Reducing instructional software costs.
- Modifying and extending the transportation contract, which the community is endorsing by voting for the overall budget.
How do external factors affect the tax levy for individual families?
- Assessed Value: Your tax is based on your property’s assessed value, which is found on your tax bill, not its market value.
- Tax Exemptions: Exemptions such as STAR or veterans exemptions shift how the overall tax levy is distributed among property owners.
- Tax Refunds: Court-ordered tax refunds, which totaled $645,441 this year, also affect the tax rates on houses.
- PILOT Agreements: A PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) is a negotiated payment made by a company instead of traditional property taxes. As properties like Regeneron transition to full assessment, they join the tax rolls and help offset overall costs.
What if voters reject the proposed tax levy?
If voters in the district reject the proposed budget, the school board may put up the same or a revised budget for a second vote, or adopt a contingency budget with a tax levy no greater than what was levied the previous year.
