Budget Development
Budget & Taxpayer Information
2026-27 Budget Information
On Tuesday, May 19, Spencer-Van Etten Central School District residents will vote on the district’s proposed 2026–27 school budget of $29,893,318, representing a 2.83% / $822,673 increase from the current year.
The district’s main revenue sources to balance the budget are state aid and the tax levy, which is the total amount of money the district raises from property taxes. The district expects approximately $17.713,032 in state aid, including a 0.48% increase in Foundation Aid, which is the district’s base operating aid.
The proposed tax levy increase is 2.14%, which is below the district’s allowable tax levy increase, which would require a simple majority vote for budget approval. There are several significant cost drivers for 2026-27, including projected increases in health insurance, utilities, retirement contributions and operational expenses. Overall health insurance costs are projected to rise approximately 26% while utility expenses are projected to increase about 30%.
Vote Date: May 19, 2026
Board of Education Budget Presentations
Board of education budget presentations have been scheduled for the following dates:
January 8, 2026 - Budget Presenation Meeting
February 12, 2026 - Budget Presenation Meeting
May 11, 2026 -
Budget Hearing & Meet the Candidates
May 19, 2026 -
Budget Vote & Board Election
Power Point versions of presentations will be posted below shortly after they are presented.
Budget Highlights
The proposed bus proposition includes the purchase of one full-size bus and one Suburban vehicle to maintain the district’s fleet and replace vehicles before they become costly to repair.
The proposed budget aligns with the district’s long-term priorities, which include:
Strengthening student learning
opportunities by supporting classroom
instruction and meaningful learning
experiences;
Supporting student wellness and success
through counseling, intervention services
and mental health resources;
Expanding student opportunities
through summer programming, workbased
learning, career readiness and
extracurricular programs;
Investing in staff development and
student support systems to strengthen
instruction and outcomes;
Maintaining safe, efficient school
operations through transportation,
facilities and safety efforts; and
Promoting long-term fiscal responsibility
through thoughtful planning and efficient
use of resources.
Propositions
PROPOSITION I
To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2026-2027 in the amount of $29,893,318 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
PROPOSITION II
Shall the Board of Education of the Spencer-Van Etten Central School District be authorized to purchase and finance one (1) 66-passenger student transport vehicles and one (1) SUV type vehicle for student transport, including necessary furnishings, fixtures and equipment and all other costs incidental thereto, and expend a total sum not to exceed $295,000.00, less any trade-in amount, which is estimated to be the total maximum cost thereof, and said amount, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by the levy of a tax upon the taxable property of said School District and collected in annual installments as provided by Section 416 of the Education Law; and, in anticipation of such tax, obligations of said School District, in the principal amount not to exceed $295,000.00, shall be issued.
Board of Education Candidates
Voters will elect candidates to serve on the Spencer-Van Etten Board of Education for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2026. Candidates will appear on the ballot in the following order: Don Johnson, Jessica Carr and Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman. Learn more about the candidates at the S-VE Budget Hearing and Meet the Candidates Night on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Voter Information
Am I qualified to vote?
In order to vote on any Spencer-Van Etten Central:
School District referendum, a person must meet all of
the following qualifications:
Be a citizen of the United States
Be 18 years of age
Be a resident of the Spencer-Van Etten Central
School District for a period of 30 days or more,
prior to voting
Not otherwise prohibited from voting (i.e. mentally
incompetent or a convicted felon).
District residents will be asked to show identification at
the voting site.
Absentee/Early Mail Ballot Information
Applications for absentee and early mail ballots may be obtained from the District Clerk’s Office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and have resided in the Spencer- Van Etten CSD for at least 30 days prior to the election. Completed applications must be received at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed, or by the day before the election if the ballot is to be picked up in person. All ballots must be returned to the District Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, to be canvassed. A list of all voters issued absentee or early mail ballots will be available at the District Clerk’s Office during the five days prior to the vote (excluding Sundays) and at the polling place.
For questions regarding the election, please contact the District Clerk at (607) 589-7101 or lcooper@svecsd.org
School Budget 101: Understanding the Process
School Budget 101: Understanding the Process
Each year, school boards must develop a balanced school budget proposal for the following school year and put it to a public vote on the third Tuesday in May. In New York, this requirement for a balanced, voter-approved annual budget is unique to public schools.
Check out this visual explanation, which may help you better understand some of the different factors that go into developing a balanced budget proposal.
This video is also an excellent source of information that provides a quick 60-second summary of the budget process: