Clinton Co. schools keep budgets at or below tax levy cap

PLATTSBURGH | Area school districts have prepared 2026-27 spending plans for voters in preparation for the May 19 School Budget vote. Here is the first report on proposed district spending plans. A second overview will be published next week to include Beekmantown Central, Peru Central and Plattsburgh City School budget information. CHAZY CENTRAL RURAL SCHOOL (CCRS) The proposed 2026-27 School Budget at Chazy Central Rural School (CCRS) is $15,587,000, an increase of 8.3 percent or $1,199,000. The tax levy -- which is the portion of the budget to be raised by taxes -- is $6,087,820, an increase of 3.9 percent. The proposed levy increase is below the state tax levy cap of 4.4 percent. There are two open seats on the CCRS School Board, both are four-year terms. Two candidates are seeking reelection: Jason Bruce and Craig Giroux. One candidate is running for Chazy Public Library Trustee: Gloria Ladue. A proposition on the ballot seeks voter approval to raise a sum not to exceed $39,000 for the Chazy Public Library. The School Budget hearing will be held in the CCRS Auditorium on May 12 at 7 p.m. The School Budget will be held on May 19 in the CCRS Music Room with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. NORTHEASTERN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (NCCS) The proposed 2026-27 NCCS School Budget is $40,350,628, an increase of five percent. The proposed tax levy, the amount to be raised by taxes, is $12,434,156 an increase of 0.4 percent, or a total $54,898. The NCCS School Board kept spending at the tax levy cap limit. There are two School Board candidates running for two four-year terms, Allen Racine and Kimberly Bulson. Propositions for voters to consider on the NCCS ballot: Election to fill two seats on the School Board, both are four-year terms. Candidates on the ballot are Kimberly Bulson and Allen Racine. Seek approval to purchase four 66-passenger diesel school buses at a cost not to exceed $719,000. Seek approval to raise $11,500 for each of three community libraries for a total $34,500. Seek approval to establish a Capital Reserve Fund in the amount of $3,760,000 to help reduce the need to borrow or raise taxes for future capital projects. Capital Reserve funds come from existing and future fund balance -- money that the district is able to save through efficiencies. It has no impact on the general fund budget and has no additional cost to taxpayers. The School Budget hearing will be held on May 5 at 6 p.m. during the regular School Board meeting in their meeting room at the Middle School. The School Budget vote will be held May 19 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. with polling sites at the Middle School gymnasium, 103 State Route 276 in Champlain for Champlain and Rouses Point residents, and at Mooers Elementary, 16 School Street, for Mooers residents. NORTHERN ADIRONDACK CENTRAL SCHOOL (NAC) The 2026-27 Proposed Budget at Northern Adirondack Central School is $ 29,483,115, an increase of 2.95 percent, or $843,750. The proposed tax levy, the amount to be raised by taxes, is $8,773,000, a 2.61 percent increase. The increase is at the tax levy cap. There is one open seat on the NAC School board, a four-year term, and Debra Peters is running for election, unopposed. The school bus proposition seeks voter approval to purchase three 66-passenger, diesel engine school buses at a cost not to exceed $518,000. The School Budget hearing will be held May 5 at 5 p.m. at the Middle/High School Auditorium. The School Budget vote will be held May 19 from 12 p.m. noon until 8 p.m. at the Middle/High School Cafeteria on Tuesday, May 19. SARANAC CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT The proposed 2026-27 Saranac Central School total budget is $47,039,175, an increase of 4.66 percent. The proposed tax levy -- the amount of the budget raised by taxes -- is $16,107,861, an increase of 2.74 percent, which is at the tax levy cap. There is one open School Board seat, a five-year term. Candidates on the ballot are Charlene Favaro and Justin Besaw. Propositions on the Saranac Central School ballot seek approval to authorize capital expenditure for school bus purchases and approval for annual levy to raise $25,000 for the Dannemora Free Library. School Superintendent Javier Perez said this has been a difficult budget year for the Saranac Central School District. "However, we are fortunate that thoughtful planning in prior years has allowed us to minimize the impact of necessary reductions on our programs. We are also grateful that we are able to remain within the 2.74 percent tax cap while limiting the financial impact on our community. "We appreciate the continued support our incredible community provides to our students and staff." The Saranac Central School budget hearing will be held May 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the District Office in Dannemora. The budget will be presented in three components: Administrative, Program and Capital. The School Budget vote is Tuesday, May 19. Polls are open from 12 p.m. (noon) to 8 p.m. in the Saranac Middle School gymnasium.

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Clinton Co. schools keep budgets at or below tax levy cap

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