2026-27 Budget

VOTING INFORMATION:

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, all District residents are encouraged to vote from 12 pm to 9 pm.

Polling locations will be as follows:

City of Cortland, Cortlandville - 8 Valley View Drive (Cortland Jr-Sr High School)
Virgil, Lapeer, Harford, Dryden - 1176 Church St, Virgil (Virgil Town Hall)
 

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, April 13, 2026 – Budget Town Hall Meeting - 5pm in the JSHS Auditorium, 8 Valley View Drive

Monday, April 20, 2026 – Board of Education Meeting (BOE adopts 2026-27 Budget) - 6pm at the Kaufman Center, 1 Valley View Drive

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 – Voter Registration - 3pm - 8pm at the Kaufman Center, 1 Valley View Drive

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 – Meet the Candidates Event (If needed) / Public Budget Hearing - 5pm in the JSHS Auditorium, 8 Valley View Drive 
 
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 –  Annual Meeting – Budget Vote and School Board Election - 12pm - 9pm - Polling Locations listed above
 

DEADLINES

Petitions for BOE Candidates (2 vacant positions):  Due to Board Clerk (Alicia Zupancic) by 5pm on April 29, 2026. Please reach out to Alicia if you are interested in running for a seat on the Board of Education.

Absentee or Early Mail Applications:  Due by 4pm on May 12 (if it is to be mailed to voter).  Due by 4pm on May 18 (if to be picked up in-person).

If voting by Absentee Ballot or Early Mail Ballot, ballots must be received by the District Clerk by 5pm on May 19, or be postmarked by May 19.
 

LINKS TO INDEPENDENT REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Fiscal Stability Review
Instructional Program Review
Educational Facilities Utilization Review

Summary of Recommendations and Their Current Status

Budgeting Metrics and Current Non-Staffing Reductions
 

WHAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT?

Proposition 1:  The School District Budget (Amount TBD) - Anticipating a Tax Levy Override (6.5% increase)

Proposition 2:  Purchase of Diesel School Buses

Proposition 3:  Establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund

Proposition 4:  Establishment of a Transportation Capital Reserve Fund

Proposition 5:  Cortland Free Library Funding

BOE Vacancies:  Two (2) seats available, each for three-year terms (Commencing July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029).
 

BUDGET DOCUMENTS (to be uploaded by April 28)

Budget Calendar
Budget Notice
Budget Newsletter

Budget Hearing Presentation
Three Part Budget Summary 
Budget Line Item Summary 
Property Tax Report Card
Contigency Budget Information

School Academic Report Card
2025 Enrollment Data
2025 ELL Data
2025 Graduation Rate Data
District's 2022-23 Fiscal Accountability Supplement
Administrative Salary Disclosure Notice

Property Tax Exemption Reports
Cortland County
Tompkins County
 

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS

Date	Location	Presentation
Sept 23, 2025	BOE Meeting	Budget Calendar
Oct 28, 2025	BOE Meeting	Long-Range Planning
Nov 25, 2025	BOE Meeting	Debt Service Projections
Dec 16, 2025	BOE Meeting	Initial BOCES Services Requests
Jan 27, 2026	BOE Meeting	Payroll and Benefit Projections
Feb 24, 2026	BOE Meeting	Tax Levy Calculations
Mar 23, 2026	BOE Meeting	Draft Expense and RevenueBudgets
March 2026	Staff Budget Meetings	Budget Information Sessions for Staff
Apr 13, 2026	Community Meeting	Budget Town Hall Meeting
Apr 20, 2026	BOE Meeting	Final Draft of 2026-27 Budget
May 5, 2026	BOE Meeting	Budget Hearing

Special meetings will be called and held in accordance with State Education Law.