Budget Vote and BOE Election

Notice of Annual Meeting, Budget Vote and Election

About the Annual School Budget Vote

In New York State, local school boards must annually develop a balanced school budget proposal and put it up for a public vote on the third Tuesday in May. This year's school budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Polls will be open from 1-8 p.m. in the Hermon-DeKalb Central School Cafeteria. You will be mailed the 2026-27 Budget Newsletter in May.

2026-27 Budget Proposal

Hermon-DeKalb CSD Presents 2026-27 Budget Proposal for May 19 Vote

Hermon-DeKalb Central School District residents will vote Tuesday, May 19, 2026, on a proposed $14,992,320 budget that maintains all current academic programs and stays within the district’s full allowable tax levy cap. Voting will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. in the school cafeteria at 709 E. De Kalb Road.

The spending plan reflects a 2.96% increase, or $430,440, over the current year. District leaders say the rise is driven by significant cost pressures, including utility bills that have nearly doubled month to month, higher fuel costs, increased insurance premiums, and continued growth in salaries and employee health insurance benefits. These trends mirror challenges faced by districts across the region.

To support these rising expenses while preserving programs, the district is proposing a 1.97% tax levy increase, totaling $55,915. Because the levy matches the district’s allowable cap, the proposal requires only a simple majority for approval. The tax levy represents the total amount collected from property owners to support the school budget and is one factor used to determine the tax rate.

In addition to the budget vote, residents will elect one Board of Education member to a five‑year term beginning July 1, 2026.

Voters will also consider two separate propositions:

• Purchase of two gas-powered school buses, not to exceed $405,000.

• An increase of $20,000 in the annual tax collected for the Hepburn Library of Hermon, bringing the total to $60,000. Library funding is not part of the school budget.

District officials say the proposal is a responsible, future‑focused plan that supports student needs while remaining mindful of the community’s financial realities.

 

Budget Breakdown

Instructional
The program covers expenses related to educating students, including classroom instruction, services for students with special needs, library services, the nurse’s office, computer-assisted instruction, guidance and counseling services, athletics and extracurricular activities, and transportation.

Capital
This component includes all expenses necessary for the operation and maintenance of school facilities. It covers costs such as maintenance and custodial staff, utilities, and debt payments for building projects.

Administrative
This component includes expenses necessary to manage district affairs including building-level supervision, business office operations, school-to-home communications, the Board of Education, the Superintendent, the District Clerk, and legal/auditing fees.

2026-27 Proposed Budget Documents

• Proposed 3-Part Budget
• Proposed 2026-27 Revenue
• Proposed Budget Document

Questions and Answers

What is the difference between the tax levy and tax rate?

The tax levy is the total amount of money a school district raises in taxes each year from all property owners in the district.

The tax rate is the amount paid for each $1,000 of taxable assessed value of property. The rate is used to calculate each individual property tax bill. The tax rate is figured by dividing the tax levy by the total taxable assessed value of the district, then multiplying by 1,000. This gives you the tax rate, which is expressed as the amount per $1,000 of assessed property value.

For districts like ours that encompass more than one municipality, equalization rates are factored in as well to assign a fair share of the tax levy among the municipalities and to the taxpayers within them.

What is the state’s School Tax Relief Program, or STAR?

New York State’s School Tax Relief Program, or STAR, provides partial school property tax savings to eligible homeowners. Most New Yorkers who own and live in their homes are eligible for STAR savings on their primary residences. Because the STAR program is not a district program, taxpayers STAR savings are not factored into a school budget. The 2025-26 STAR exemption amount will be the same as the current fiscal year.

More information about STAR can be found at: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/eligibility.htm

What is a Library Proposition?

In New York State, public libraries that are not part of a city government must have their annual funding approved by voters. A library proposition is a separate item on the school district’s budget ballot that asks residents to authorize the amount of tax support the library will receive for the coming year.

Although the library is independent from the school district, state law requires that school districts conduct the vote on the library’s behalf to ensure a consistent, transparent, and community‑wide voting process. If voters approve the proposition, the district simply collects the approved tax amount and passes it directly to the library. The district does not control how the library uses those funds.