Elwood Voters Approve $80M School Budget

ELWOOD, NY — Elwood Union Free School District voters approved the district’s proposed $80,042,789 budget for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday, along with a capital reserve proposition and Board of Education races.

The budget passed 899-336.

The approved spending plan represents a $1,476,530 increase over the current year’s $78,566,259 budget, or a 1.88 percent increase.

District officials said the budget was developed to maintain current programs, remain educationally sound and fiscally responsible, and continue long-term sustainability by reducing reliance on fund balance and reserves.

The approved budget carries a 2.97 percent tax levy increase, which district officials said is within the allowable tax cap and required a simple majority for approval.

According to district budget documents, the tax levy will increase from $54,545,732 to $56,167,159. State aid is projected at $19,426,130, while the district also plans to use $1.3 million in reserves and $2.5 million in fund balance.

Among the largest expenditure categories in the approved budget are $40,481,449 for instruction, $19,233,237 for benefits, $9,131,828 for general support, $5,645,984 for transportation and $4,925,291 for debt service.

District officials said the budget includes year two of a five-year literacy program contract, year one of a five-year transportation contract and a transfer to the capital fund.

Program priorities include a part-time director of human resources, director of curriculum, MTSS program review, reading support at Harley Avenue Primary School, a high school freshman course, technology software upgrades, expanded assistant coaches for varsity sports and the continued K-12 Chromebook replacement cycle.

Capital Reserve Proposition

Voters also approved Proposition 2, authorizing the district to use up to $350,000 from its capital reserve for capital improvements.

The proposition passed 959-252.

District officials said the money will fund improvements including a door-ajar safety alarm system for all four buildings, a maintenance department vehicle and lacrosse safety netting for the football field. The funds are outside the tax levy, meaning residents will not pay additional taxes due to the spending from the capital reserve.

Transfer To Capital Projects

The budget also includes a transfer to capital for smaller projects that are not typically included in a bond, including equipment, renovations and minor infrastructure projects.

Planned projects include a designated walkway between John Glenn High School and the football field, replacement of bleachers and safety wall padding at Elwood Middle School, replacement of a failing water heater at James H. Boyd Intermediate School, roof gutter and downspout replacement, bathroom partition replacements and basketball court renovations at Harley Avenue Primary School.

Board Of Education Election

Voters also elected candidates to two at-large seats on the Board of Education.

Incumbent Tom Scarola won re-election with 898 votes. Patricia Haack was also elected to the board with 665 votes.

Vashmir Pascal-Turner received 428 votes.

Sara Siddiqui, whose seat was also on the ballot, did not seek re-election.

District officials said election results remain unofficial pending certification by the district clerk.