Budget Season Begins at SCS

SCHOHARIE - It seems far in the future, but Schoharie Central School officials have begun working on their 2026-27 district budget.

School district business administrator David Baroody presented the 2026-27 budget season calendar at the December 20 school board meeting.

The budget calendar is as follow:

* January 15, 2026: At the school board meeting there will be a presentation of updated and long-range financial plan. 

* January, 2026: The New York State governor's budget proposal will be released for the 2026-27 school year. 

* February 12: There will be a presentation of the preliminary 2026-27 budget at the school board meeting. 

* March 1: There will be a submission of calculation of the tax levy limit to the office of New York State comptroller. 

* March 19: There will be another presentation of the tentative budget for the 2026-27 school year, along with ballot propositions such as a school bus purchase. 

* April 1: There will be the first publication of a notice of school budget hearing and budget vote in the district legal paper. 

* April: The state legislature is to adopt the 2026-27 state budget, including for preliminary estimation of aid to education. 

* April 20: The school board candidate nominating petitions will be due in the district clerk's office by 5PM. 

* April 21: The district clerk will draw the order of candidates for the ballot.

* April 23: The revised tentative 2026-27 budget will be presented to the school board and it will be approved that evening. 

* April 24: The property tax report card will be submitted to the state education department. 

* April 27: The budget newsletter will be finalized and sent to the printing company. Also, the budget statement and all required the attachments will be made available.

* May 5: The district will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget. 

* May 6: A budget notice and newsletter will be mailed to eligible district voters after the budget hearing. 

* May 19: The budget vote and school member vote will be held from from noon to 8PM. Also, a board meeting will be held that night at which the members will accept the vote results. 

*June 16: State-wide, budget revote day, if necessary.