The Greene Central School District announced their 2026-27 school year budget at $32,089,286 with a tax levy increase of 3.76%, remaining within the tax cap. The proposed budget will bring an increase of 4.33% compared to last year’s 2025-26 school budget of $30,757,457 and does not include any related expenses for the EV mandate. (Submitted photo)

GREENE — The Greene Central School District announced their 2026-27 school year budget at $32,089,286 with a tax levy increase of 3.76%, remaining within the state tax cap.

The proposed budget will bring an increase of 4.33% compared to last year’s 2025-26 school budget of $30,757,457 and does not include any related expenses for the EV mandate. A separate vote for purchase of one EV bus will be held in June.

“Budget increases are due to a variety of increases in salaries, health insurance, and general escalation of operational costs coupled with a reduction in State Aid,” said Greene Central School District Superintendent Lisa Carter.

Carter gave an example of the change of cost for taxpayers, pointing to a home assessed at $100,000 and said there would be monthly increase of $6.39, totaling an annual increase of $76.66.

She said the budget abolishes six instructional positions, reduces one position, abolishes six non-instructional positions, and pauses indoor track, swim, Odyssey of the Mind, and elementary STEAM, noting, it also includes other reductions as well.

The district enrollment has remained relatively stable over the past four years, however, Carter said the district has experienced a decline in enrollment since the 2012-13 school year.

Reductions and changes made to teaching positions, services, and programs include the following:

Service reductions:

The district will end participation in BOCES Public Relations Service, executive coaching for principals and the Director of Special Programs, contract for athletic training, and will end seven Career Technical Education/New Vision seats reducing costs to the budget by $225,294.

Program and activity pauses:

Indoor track, swim program, and Odyssey of the Mind, reduces costs by $18,283.

Instructional reductions will include abolishing three elementary teaching positions, two secondary teaching positions and one physical education teaching position. An additional reduction in the music department for one music position from 1.0 to. .80; reducing costs by $664,937.

Non-Instructional reductions will include abolishing two vacant aide positions, one vacant clerical position, one vacant bus driver position, and two vacant bus attendant positions reduces costs by $230,475.

Additional reductions and changes include shifting from report card delivery to digital process reporting for grades seven through 12, middle school field trips, reallocations of one special education teacher at the high school, reallocation of one aide and staff reallocations in elementary STEAM.

A total of 98.8 instructional positions that remain, which include teachers and stipends, administrators, and nursing staff.

There will also be 83 non-instructional positions remaining that include clerical, aides, bus drivers and attendants, facilities and grounds, and non-contractual staff.

Propositions:

Proposition 1, will be for approval of School Budget 2026-27 at $32,089,286.

Proposition 2 will be for the purchase of three student transportation vehicles, totaling $395,100.

Proposition 3 will be for approval of Library Tax Levy 2026-27.

The Moore Memorial Library also has a proposition on the ballot for purposes of funding the library.

The district will hold a Public Budget Hearing at 6 p.m., May 6, in the Greene Middle School/High School Auditorium, located at 40 South Canal Street in Greene.

The annual Budget Vote and School Board Member Election will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 19, in the Greene High School Auditorium lobby.

Eligible voters will decide who should fill the two vacancies on the G.C.S. Board of Education in addition to voting on the upcoming school budget.

To review the Green Central School District proposed budget, visit their website at go.boarddocs.com/ny/greene/Board.nsf/Public.