Each year, the Goshen Central School District develops a budget proposal that prioritizes academic programs, provides a safe and supportive learning environment, and maintains financial stability for both the district and the community.

On Monday, March 16th, Goshen Central School District held a board meeting where district officials presented a preliminary budget proposal for 2026-27, reflecting a 4.9% increase in spending compared to this current year.

Behind The Spending Increase 

This year, New York State school districts are facing various challenges due to the current economic climate, inflation, and minimal increases in state aid. Contractual obligations such as salaries, benefits, and BOCES services are the significant spending drivers for GCSD. 

Additionally, the district must work within its tax levy limit, or “cap,” as defined by New York’s tax levy legislation, which is set at 3.06% for the coming year. 

“Over the past several years, the district often proposed budgets with tax levy increases below its allowable cap, sometimes as low as zero or one percent,” Interim Superintendent Thomas Bongiovi said. “While this approach helped minimize the tax burden on the community at the time, it has also limited the district’s ability to collect revenue to help keep pace with rising costs.” 

Bridging the 2026-27 Funding Gap

In order to balance the budget and fulfill organizational goals, the district must bridge an estimated $5 million funding gap. The Board of Education is currently evaluating the following options:

• Non-Instructional Cost Containment: Reducing expenditures for equipment, contract services, supplies, and software in areas that do not directly impact student programming.
• Staffing Reductions through Natural Attrition: Retaining savings by not backfilling vacancies created by upcoming retirements. This includes two elementary teaching positions, two teacher aides, and one teaching assistant position. 
• Instructional Realignment: Returning a Teacher on Special Assignment to the classroom, resulting in the reduction of one teaching position. This shift will have no impact on student learning.
• Section Consolidation: Consolidating four high school course sections that previously required “sixth-class” teacher stipends. This adjustment is a direct response to lower student enrollment in those specific areas. Although this change involves combining sections, it will not affect student programming or class sizes.
• Eliminating Communications Contract: Discontinuing the contractual agreement for a Communications/Public Information Specialist through Capital Region BOCES. 
• Strategic Use of Reserves: Utilizing a portion of the fund balance and reserves to offset expenditures.

Investing in Our Fleet: Acquisition of New Buses

In addition to the proposed budget, voters will be asked to approve the purchase of six transportation vehicles to better accommodate student transportation needs. These purchases will replace buses that have been in service for over 15 years.

As school buses reach 10-12 years of age, they often begin to develop significant maintenance issues, such as rust and engine difficulties. These conditions can result in buses being deemed inoperative during inspections by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The district plans to purchase four 65-passenger buses and two 7-passenger vehicles based on student needs. 

These purchases are strategic to maintain a safe and reliable fleet, prioritize student safety, and support daily transportation. Additionally, a dependable fleet is essential for supporting extracurricular activities, providing consistent transportation for athletics, field trips, and special events.

Board of Education Election

District residents will select candidates to fill two open seats for the Board of Education. Board candidates will be shared with the community in April: 

• Seat 1: A full three-year term beginning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. This seat is currently held by John Sullivan, whose term expires at the end of this year.
• Seat 2: A three-year term plus a remainder term. Due to the resignation of Ashley Salte earlier this year, the elected candidate will take office immediately on May 20 and serve through June 30, 2029.

Key Dates and Voting Information 

The Board of Education is in the final stages of crafting the 2026-27 proposed budget in order to present a spending plan to voters that remains educationally sound while promoting long-term financial sustainability for the district.

Upcoming Key Dates:

• April 7: Regular Board Meeting – District officials will make final recommendations for the budget proposal to the board. 
• April 21: Budget Adoption – The Board will officially adopt the proposed budget.
• May 11: Public Budget Hearing – A formal presentation and discussion of the final plan will be presented to the public.
• May 19: Annual Budget Vote & Election – District residents head to the polls to cast their ballots.

Budget Vote Details:

• Date: Tuesday, May 19
• Location: GCSD Main Street Building, 227 Main Street, Goshen
• Time: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

Details about the proposed budget will continue to be shared via the district website, and district residents will receive a detailed newsletter in the mail in early May. If you have any questions, contact the business office at (845) 615-6740.