Catskill Schools $51.7M Budget Keeps Tax Increase Below Cap

The Catskill Central School District Board of Education adopted a $51.7 million budget for 2026-2027 at its April 21 meeting, holding the tax levy increase to 2.19 percent, below the state cap of 2.29 percent.

The budget grows $2.1 million over the current year. To keep tax increases down, the district applied $2.99 million in fund balance and $2.1 million in reserves. The board eliminated one aide position through attrition and cut $500,000 in BOCES program spending while preserving all student programs and avoiding layoffs.

New spending includes summer school at the high school and an expansion of elementary summer programming from grades K-3 to K-6. The budget funds the Kids Club after-school program, expands BOCES communication services, and restores an administrative position to fully staff principal and assistant principal roles at both high school and middle school.

A $100,000 capital project will refinish the elementary school gymnasium floor and replace deteriorating wall mats. The state will fund 66 percent of the project.

Residents can attend a public hearing on the budget May 6 at 6 p.m. in the Catskill High School library. The district will mail a budget newsletter to residents in May. The School Budget Vote and Board of Education Election takes place May 19 from 1 to 9 p.m. in the Catskill High School gymnasium.