2026-2027 Cambridge Central School
Budget
2026-2027 Cambridge Central School
Budget
The proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is $28,159,436, reflecting a 4.76% increase from the previous year.
Tax Levy: Exceeding the Tax Cap - $11,357,763 (+12%)
State Aid: $15,434,143
Other Revenue: $709,624 (Federal, interest, pilots, refunds & tuition)
Fund Balance: $657,906 (use of restricted and unrestricted reserve funds)
Salaries & Wages: $10,617,504 (5.46%)
Benefits: $7,762,665 (2.37%)
Programs Costs: $11,608,840 (11%) - includes salaries
Facilities: $1,846,454 (-1.33%)
Transportation: $1,724,336 (11%)
Administrative Costs: $1,183,542 (-.17%)
Debt Service: $3,846,599 (15.63%), offset by additional Building Aid
Salaries, wages, and benefits account for 65.27% of the total budget, ensuring continued investment in staff and student programs while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Annual Budget Proposal
Transportation Proposition: (4) 70-passenger diesel buses and a van at a cost not to exceed $518,684
Cambridge Library Proposition: to increase the appropriation from $75,000 to $90,000 annually
Board of Education Election:
To elect two (2) individuals to three-year terms commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring June 30, 2029, to succeed Joe Hamilton and Ted Flint whose term expires on June 30, 2026
Budget Hearing: May 5, 2026
BOE Board Meeting: April 16, 2026
Annual Budget Proposition Yes No
Equipment (Bus) Proposition Yes No
Cambridge Library Proposition Yes No
Three Year Term:
The "Tax Cap" in New York State
New York places restrictions on how school districts (and municipalities) may increase their tax levies. It requires at least 60% voter approval for a school budget if the proposed tax levy increase exceeds a threshold, known as the tax levy limit, which is unique to each district and calculated using a state formula. The 2025-2026 tax levy is at the "cap" of 3.17%.
Information on Property Tax Levy Cap
Proposed Tax Levy: $11,357,763
Tax Levy Increase: $1,216,903 (12%)
Homeowner Impact - How will this affect my property taxes?
The budget adopted by the Board of Education represents an estimated tax levy increase of 12%. Any attempt to determine tax rates in May must be regarded as strictly an estimate. All other factors being equal, taxes would increase $374 on a $250,000 home.
The following items are required for determining the actual tax rates:
Assessed Valuation by Towns: This information is not officially available from the Town Assessors until July. Increases will lower the tax rate.
Equalization Rates: These rates are established by the New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services and may change each year. In the past, changes have been made to equalization rates as late as mid-August.
Thank you for your continued support of the Cambridge Central School District!