Spencer-Van Etten Central School District residents will vote on the district’s proposed 2026–27 budget of $29,893,318 on Tuesday, May 19, from noon to 8 p.m. in the high school auditorium lobby.
The proposed budget reflects a 2.83% increase, or $822,673, from the current year and includes a tax levy increase of 2.14%, which is within the district’s allowable limit and requires a simple majority for approval.
District officials expect approximately $17.7 million in state aid to support the spending plan, helping maintain programs and services while limiting the impact on taxpayers.
“Throughout budget development, we remained focused on aligning our budget priorities with our Blueprint for Excellence strategic plan,” said Superintendent Patrick Patterson. “The proposed plan reflects our commitment to strong academic programs, student support services, extracurricular opportunities and safe learning environments while balancing long-term financial stability and minimizing taxpayer impact.”
The proposal continues the district’s focus on supporting student programs, maintaining safe learning environments and planning for long-term fiscal stability.
Cost increases in areas such as health insurance, utilities, retirement contributions and general operations contributed to the overall budget growth. Health insurance costs are projected to rise by about 10%, while utility expenses are expected to increase by approximately 30%.
The budget also reflects continued investments in student opportunities. Plans include expanding work-based learning experiences, strengthening literacy instruction through Science of Reading training and adjusting staffing to broaden student programming.
Additional positions and opportunities included in the proposal are a library teacher, an indoor track team and a girls varsity wrestling coach, all supported through internal efficiencies and strategic resource allocation.
To help control costs while preserving programs, the district will continue utilizing BOCES partnerships for services such as summer school, musical instrument replacement, sports officials, communication services and college-level courses.
Operational efficiencies were also identified in transportation, where route adjustments reduced the number of routes from 14 to 12 while maintaining reliable service for students.
The proposed budget aligns with the district’s long-term priorities, including strengthening instruction, supporting student wellness, expanding extracurricular and career readiness opportunities, investing in staff development and maintaining safe and efficient school operations.