Clinton Co. school districts ready for budget/board vote

PLATTSBURGH | Area schools have prepared 2026-27 school spending plans for voters ahead of the May 19 School Budget vote. Districts have spent months meeting and hosting budget workshops to develop plans that stay within the state tax levy cap. Clinton County schools have maintained budgets at or below tax levy limits. BEEKMANTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT The 2026-27 proposed budget is $58,937,231, an increase from current spending of 3.08 percent, or $1,761,208. The total tax levy-- the amount to be raised by taxes --is $25,789,378, which is an increase of $663,686, or 2.64 percent. Beekmantown's 2026-27 proposed budget is at the tax levy cap. There are three open seats, all are three-year terms, on the School Board. The district advised that on April 21, they received a withdrawal of a candidate's nominating petition. Pursuant to New York Education Law § 2018, when a candidate withdraws a duly filed nominating petition within the time period specified by law, the time for filing nominating petitions for that office is extended. Accordingly, the district said, nominating petitions for School Board may now be filed with the District Clerk until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6. Proposition I seeks voter approval for the $58,937,231 School Budget. Proposition II seeks voter authorization to purchase and finance three student transport vehicles at a cost not to exceed $536,978. Proposition III is the School Board vote, which will be reported separately after the May 6 petition deadline. Proposition IV seeks to increase the authorized maximum cost of the Capital Project Fund approved by District voters on May 16, 2023 by $2,000,000. The additional funds would be used to cover increased building costs using $2,000,000 of available district funds. A public hearing on Beekmantown Central School's proposed 2026-27 School Budget will be held on May 12 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Learning Theater. The School Budget vote will be held on May 19 in the Learning Theater from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. School District Superintendent Dustin Relation said this year's budget development process held school "Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan priorities at the center of each decision," he said via email, "as we worked to best meet the needs of our students. "We are proud of the opportunities and programming we provide at every grade level, and this budget reflects our continued commitment to students while remaining fiscally responsible to our community." PERU CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT The 2026-27 proposed Peru Central School Budget is $56,518,175, an increase of 1.55 percent, or $861,906. The proposed tax levy -- the amount to be raised by taxes -- is $21,269,382, an increase of 3.18 percent. The proposed tax levy increase is at the state-assigned tax cap. There are currently two vacant seats on the School Board, and three candidates are on the ballot. In alphabetical order, they are: Mark Hamilton, Laura Hathaway and Steven Peters. The seats are at-large for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029; and a two-year term to complete a vacated term, which starts on July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2028. The elected member who receives the most votes will be granted the three-year term. Voters are being asked to consider two propositions on the ballot: Proposition 1 is to adopt the proposed 2026-27 budget in the amount of $56,518,175. Proposition 2 asks voters to authorize purchase of three 65-passenger school buses for a maximum cost not to exceed $585,000.69. The School Budget hearing will be held Tuesday, May 12, at 7 p.m. in the Peru High School Community Room. The School Budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 19 in the Peru High School Community Room from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. School District Superintendent Scott Storms said the Peru Central School 2026-27 budget season centered on the theme of 'Collective Commitment,' and presented significant challenges. "Due to a shortfall in state aid, we are utilizing our fund balance to bridge the gap; however, this has also necessitated difficult reductions in our staffing. "While these decisions are painful," Storms said via email, "our mission remains to provide students with the best possible curriculum and programs. We are focused on finding a precise balance, reducing costs where necessary while ensuring that the quality of our students' education remains unimpacted. Together, we will navigate these fiscal realities while keeping our students' success at the forefront." PLATTSBURGH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT The proposed Plattsburgh City School 2026-27 School Budget is $57,410,993, an increase of 2.75 percent. The proposed tax levy--the amount to be raised by taxes--is $26,557,754, an increase of 2.51 percent. The tax levy increase is at the tax levy cap. Propositions on the ballot: The School Board election seeks to fill three vacancies, all are three-year terms that begin July 1. The candidates will appear on the ballot as follows: Robert "Bobby" Hall, Jr., Anass Bouayadi, Rod Sherman and Shauna LaDue. The PCS budget hearing is Wednesday, May 6 at the regular School Board meeting held in the Duken Administrative Building. The meeting begins at 6 p.m., the budget hearing would begin at 7 p.m. The School Budget vote is Tuesday, May 19, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in three district locations: Glasgow Elementary School, Duken Administrative Building, and at Momot Elementary School. SOME CITY SCHOOL POLLING LOCATIONS HAVE CHANGED The school district has advised voters that, due to City of Plattsburgh redistricting, some voters for the School Board election and school budget vote will now vote in a different polling location on May 19. This primarily applies to some residents who vote at Duken and Momot Elementary School locations. A map of voting districts for the School Board and budget vote is shared on the Plattsburgh City School District website under "Budget Information" along with other voter information of interest. To find school voting district maps online: plattscsd.org/budget-information Scroll down and click on PCSD School Election Voting Map. Anyone with questions can call the District Clerk at 518-957-6002.

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Clinton Co. school districts ready for budget/board vote

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