MONTICELLO – At its April 23 meeting, the Monticello Central School District Board of Education adopted a proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year.

The $106,931,092 spending plan represents a 3.29% increase over the current year’s budget and continues the district’s focus on fiscal responsibility, student success and long-term sustainability.

District residents will vote on the proposed budget and elect four members to the Board of Education on Tuesday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all district polling locations.

The proposed tax levy is $47.1 million, a 2.68% increase from the prior year. While the district was eligible to increase the levy by a higher percentage (3.99%) under New York State’s tax cap formula, it chose to remain below that threshold, continuing its long-standing effort to reduce reliance on property taxes.

As a result, approximately 44.05% of the proposed budget is funded by the tax levy, with the remaining 55.95% supported by state aid and other revenue sources such as BOCES refunds and fund balance.

Rising costs in several areas, including out-of-district special education placements, transportation, utilities, and insurance premiums, presented challenges during the budget development process.

To remain within the tax levy limit, the district identified a series of reductions and cost-saving measures, taking into account declining enrollment and building/department needs. These include the reduction of six vacant teaching positions, as well as reductions in supplies, contractual services, and instructional materials across the district.

All personnel reductions are through attrition or retirement, not layoffs. All current staff and faculty members are accounted for in the proposed spending plan.