Catskill Central School District

This document is a budget presentation for the Catskill Central School District for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It outlines the district's mission to provide students with a comprehensive, tailored education and its vision to empower them as successful global citizens embodying integrity, perseverance, and compassion. The strategic financial priorities include ensuring fiscal responsibility, long-term sustainability, and maintaining educational programming, encompassing academic supports, enrichment, extracurricular activities, and field trips. The presentation details estimated revenues and expenditures, state aid projections, and key budget drivers.

The Board of Education meeting included an executive session for discussion and a Superintendent's report. Key actions included approving a five-year E-Rate funding contract for fiber and transport services, accepting the Treasurer's and Claims Audit reports, and approving various transportation contracts for the 2025-2026 school year. The Board adopted the State of New York Deferred Compensation Plan, accepted the Federal Single Audit report and associated corrective action plan, and finalized the 2026-2027 district calendar alongside revisions to the 2025-2026 calendar. Additionally, the Board approved an inter-municipal agreement for the use of the Ricky Cramer Athletic Field, created a new high school extracurricular club, accepted several donations, and authorized various personnel appointments, resignations, and leaves of absence. Compensation was also approved for staff performing additional duties related to the Office of the Superintendent.

The Board approved the 2026-2027 school district budget and set propositions for the upcoming district vote. They accepted the property tax report card, authorized the Questar III BOCES administrative budget, and cast votes for BOCES board candidates. Additional actions included certifying a principal lead evaluator, accepting the claims audit report, approving budget transfers, authorizing student transportation contracts, and approving an inter-municipal agreement for a summer recreation program. The board also accepted various special education and Section 504 recommendations, approved stipulated settlement agreements and resignations, revised the 2026-2027 district calendar, accepted grants from the Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation, approved several donations, and declared specific books and equipment as obsolete. Personnel items including resignations, staff appointments, and substitute list additions were also finalized.

Candidates for the school board introduced themselves and shared their backgrounds and goals. Discussion topics included improving educational outcomes, supporting maintenance programs for school facilities, managing fiscally responsible budgets, addressing the needs of diverse student populations such as those with disabilities and English language learners, and fostering positive school culture. The candidates also discussed their perspectives on current educational performance, the importance of vocational programs, and ongoing capital improvement projects.

This event provided an opportunity for trustee candidates to introduce themselves, share their backgrounds, and discuss their priorities for the community. Key topics included the need for enhanced programming for youth and seniors, the importance of securing funding through grants to support infrastructure and community initiatives, and strategies for fostering community unity. Candidates also addressed the challenges of operating small businesses, the necessity of maintaining safe and accessible public spaces, and the value of leveraging existing local resources to improve quality of life for residents.