On Tuesday, May 19, residents of the Owen D. Young Central School District will vote on a proposed $7,558,015 spending plan for the 2026-27 school year that maintains all current academic programming and opportunities for students.
The proposed spending plan represents an increase of 5%, or approximately $360,151, compared to the current year.
The tax levy is proposed to increase by 2% ($40,943), which meets the district’s state-mandated tax cap. Because the proposal is at the state-mandated limit, a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) is required for approval.
Navigating Fiscal Challenges
The district relies on state aid for nearly two-thirds (60%) of its revenue. Under the current state budget proposal, Foundation Aid to ODY would increase by 1%.
To bridge this gap without reducing student services, the district will apply $601,667 of its fund balance (7.96% of total revenue) to the budget. This strategic use of savings allows the district to maintain educational quality while remaining fiscally responsible to taxpayers.
Factors Increasing the Budget
The spending increase is driven by rising operating costs, such as electricity projected to increase 30% and contractual obligations, such as employee health insurance, which accounts for $952,089, or 12.6% of the overall budget.
“Inflationary costs and mandated requirements continue to outpace Foundation Aid increases,” explained Superintendent of Schools Brennan Fahey. “Rather than pass these costs along to the community, we are again allocating a significant amount of fund balance to achieve a balanced budget.”
The proposed budget also includes the purchase of a 64-passenger bus and a wheelchair bus to replace aging vehicles that are no longer under warranty. It also includes facility improvements with an annual $100,000 outlay project for pool system maintenance, LED lighting, ceiling tiles and stair treads.
Voting Information
Community members will vote on the school budget on Tuesday, May 19 from noon to 8 p.m. in the Founder’s Study.
In addition, ODY voters will elect two members to the Board of Education. The Board is made up of five volunteer citizens, each elected to serve three-year terms beginning July 1.