Budget & Finance

The Business Office at Herkimer CSD is responsible for oversight and management of district finances that are needed to support the educational mission.

2026-27 Budget

VOTE: Herkimer Central School District residents will vote on the proposed 2026-27 school budget on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Voting takes place from noon to 8 p.m. in the Middle-High School Library Media Center.

BUDGET HEARING: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in the Middle-High School Library Media Center.

2026–27 proposed budget maintains programs and staff despite rising costs

Facing rising operational expenses, the Herkimer Central School District has put forward a 2026-27 budget proposal designed to safeguard essential programs and staff while minimizing the burden on local taxpayers.

“We understand that families are navigating the same rising costs as schools in areas such as utilities and fuel,” Herkimer Superintendent Kathleen Carney said. “This proposed budget is designed to be fiscally responsible to our taxpayers while ensuring our students continue to receive the high-quality education our community values.”

The proposed $37,008,382 budget for the 2026-27 school year represents a 4.99% increase over the current spending plan. This year, we are seeing a larger than normal increase at BOCES due to the increased cost of BOCES services and the timing of their capital project payments. The district is also faced with rising health insurance costs with nationwide trends at 8.5%.

The budget includes a tax levy increase of 1.98%. This figure is below the state-calculated tax levy limit for Herkimer of 6.35%. The district has a history of fiscal restraint, remaining under the levy limit for 15 of the 16 years since the limit’s introduction in 2012-13.

District residents are scheduled to vote on the budget on Tuesday, May 19. The ballot will also feature a proposition to establish a new capital reserve fund, the election of three Board of Education members and the library budget and trustee votes. Further information on these items and updates on Capital Project 2024 are on pages 3-4.

“As we move forward with a continued focus on safety, academics, student support, technology, music and the arts, athletics and more, we just want to thank our school community for all of the ongoing support,” Carney said. “We hope everyone comes out and participates in the vote on May 19.”

Proposed 2026-27 budget at-a-glance

• Carries a 1.98% tax levy increase, which is under the calculated levy limit. The district has been under the levy limit for 15 of 16 years.
• Total budget: $37,008,382
• Is a 4.99 % increase from the 2025-26 budget.

2026-27 proposed budget highlights

Programs:

• Maintain all existing programs and staff.
• Provide essential student support services by contracting for dedicated speech services.
• Increase elective offerings and continue College Now classes for high school students.
• Continue replacement cycles for textbooks, curricular resources and aging classroom equipment.

Safety:

• Upgrade aging cameras and maintain safety patrol officers (SPOs) to enhance safety and security in both buildings.

Technology:

• Fully fund phase three of a five-year replacement plan for instructional technology.

Where the money comes from…

The district’s plan for how it will obtain every dollar in the proposed budget:

Revenues:

State Aid:

• 2025-26 budgeted: $24,866,016
• 2026-27 proposed: $25,891,902
• $ Change ’25-’26 to ’26-’27: $1,025,886

Property Taxes:

• 2025-26 budgeted: $9,784,680
• 2026-27 proposed: $9,978,417
• $ Change ’25-’26 to ’26-’27: $193,737

Other Revenue:

• 2025-26 budgeted: $600,000
• 2026-27 proposed: $738,063
• $ Change ’25-’26 to ’26-’27: $138,063

Fund Balance:

• 2025-26 budgeted: $0
• 2026-27 proposed: $400,000
• $ Change ’25-’26 to ’26-’27: $400,000

Total Revenues:

• 2025-26 budgeted: $35,250,696
• 2026-27 proposed: $37,008,382
• $ Change ’25-’26 to ’26-’27: $1,757,686

Revenues % of total:

• Program: 72.30%
• Capital: 16.02%
• Administrative: 11.68%

REVENUES SUMMARY: District revenue primarily comes from two sources: New York State Aid for Education and local school taxes.
The district state aid picture has been steady in recent years due
to the district’s stable enrollment and high needs demographic.

Where the money is spent…

The district’s plan for how money will be spent within the proposed budget:

Expenditures:

Program:

• 2025-26 budgeted: $25,051,372
• 2026-27 proposed: $26,755,940
• $ Change ’25-’26 to ’26-’27: $1,704,568

Capital:

• 2025-26 budgeted: $6,161,265
• 2026-27 proposed: $5,929,320
• $ Change ’25-’26 to ’26-’27: -$231,945

Administrative:

• 2025-26 budgeted: $4,038,059
• 2026-27 proposed: $4,323,122
• $ Change ’25-’26 to ’26-’27: $285,063

Total Expenditures:

• 2025-26 budgeted: $35,250,696
• 2026-27 proposed: $37,008,382
• $ Change ’25-’26 to ’26-’27: $1,757,686

Expenditures % of total:

• State aid: 69.96%
• Property taxes: 26.96%
• Other revenue: 1.99%
• Fund balance: 1.08%
• Total revenues: 100%

EXPENDITURES SUMMARY: The program and capital portions of the budget make up the majority of the district’s spending. The program budget includes expenses directly related to the teaching and support of our students. The capital budget includes expenses necessary to operate and maintain our school buildings and grounds.

Expenditures breakdown:

Payroll:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $10,459,329
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $10,473,432
• $ change: $14,103
• % change: 0.13%
• % of total: 28.30%

Benefits:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $6,974,332
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $7,133,400
• $ change: $159,068
• % change: 2.28%
• % of total: 19.28%

BOCES:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $8,742,230
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $10,396,665
• $ change: $1,654,435
• % change: 18.92%
• % of total: 28.09%

Contractual:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $4,008,285
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $4,221,698
• $ change: $213,413
• % change: 5.32%
• % of total: 11.41%

Debt service:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $3,632,420
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $3,517,687
• $ change: -$114,733
• % change: -3.16%
• % of total: 9.51%

Equipment:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $631,000
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $581,000
• $ change: -$50,000
• % change: -7.92%
• % of total: 1.57%

Supplies:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $468,100
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $474,500
• $ change: $6,400
• % change: 1.37%
• % of total: 1.28%

Transfer to capital:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $250,000
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $125,000
• $ change: -$125,000
• % change: -50.00%
• % of total: 0.34%

Textbooks:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $85,000
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $85,000
• $ change: $0
• % change: 0.00%
• % of total: 0.23%

TOTAL:

• 2025-26 approved budget: $35,250,696
• 2026-26 proposed budget: $37,008,382
• $ change: $1,757,686
• % change: 4.99%
• % of total: 100%

2026-2027 Capital Outlay Project

Included in the proposed budget is a capital outlay project not to exceed $100,000. A capital outlay project is designed to complete minor renovations and to purchase associated furnishings and equipment at the district’s school buildings. The district has completed its smaller projects through capital outlay for the past 10 years.

Projects funded in this manner receive reimbursement from the state the following budget year, unlike traditional capital projects, which are reimbursed over time.

Proposition: establishment of a new capital reserve fund

During the upcoming school budget vote, residents will be asked to authorize the creation of a new capital reserve fund. This proposed fund would allow the district to set aside up to $5 million over a 10-year period.

Capital reserve funds, once they are approved by voters, are essential for the ongoing maintenance of the district’s buildings and grounds.

The district has successfully utilized these types of reserves for its most recent projects.

For example, in January 2024, voters approved the use of $5 million from capital reserves (established in 2017 and 2022) to help finance Capital Project 2024. These funds provided necessary cash flow for the initial phases of the project. This helped reduce the district’s overall borrowing costs.

The district is now proposing the establishment of a new 2026 capital reserve to help fund future capital improvements. The Board of Education would determine the annual funding for this reserve, which would come from unallocated fund balances and other available reserves.

What happens if the proposed 2026-27 budget is voted down?

If the proposed budget is defeated on May 19, the Board of Education can put the same or a revised budget up for a vote in June, or it can immediately adopt a contingent budget. After two unsuccessful budget votes, Herkimer would have to adopt a contingent budget. State law mandates that under a contingent budget, a school district must adopt a budget with no tax levy increase and eliminate all non-contingent expenses, such as certain student supplies, certain equipment purchases and community use of school facilities that results in a district expense. The district would also need to make budgetary cuts to decrease spending.

Voting information

Who can vote?

In order to vote, a person must be at least 18 years old, a United States citizen and a resident of the Herkimer Central School District for at least 30 days prior to the Tuesday, May 19, 2026, vote. Voter registration is not required.

When and where is the vote?

The school budget vote will take place from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in the Herkimer Middle-High School Library Media Center.

How can I learn more?

Attend a budget hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in the Herkimer Middle-High School Library Media Center or visit www.herkimercsd.org.

Can I vote early or vote by absentee ballot?

Absentee ballot voting is available, and the Early Mail Voter Act that took effect in 2024 allows for early voting via mail with no reasons needed. You must fill out an application to vote by early voting or absentee ballot. There are separate applications for voting by early voting or absentee ballot, but the application process and deadlines are the same.

To obtain an application or for more information, call the district office at 315-866-2230, ext. 1304. If you would like a ballot mailed to you, your application must be received by 5 p.m. on May 12, 2026. If you plan to pick up your ballot, your application must be received by 5 p.m. on May 18, 2026. The completed ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on May 19, 2026.

What exactly am I voting on?

• Vote on the school budget: School district residents are voting on a proposed $37,008,382 budget for the 2026-27 school year. The budget calls for a 4.99% spending increase and a 1.98% tax levy increase.
• Vote on proposition to create new capital reserve fund: The proposed fund would allow the district to set aside up to $5 million over a 10-year period to help fund future capital improvements. See more on page 3.
• Elect three Board of Education members: Three Board of Education seats are up for election. All seats are for three-year terms from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The four candidates are: William Vivlamore, Audrey Piccione, incumbent Scott Petucci and incumbent Joseph Lamanna.
• Vote on library budget/trustees: School district residents will decide on the Frank J. Basloe Library’s proposed tax levy of $378,592 to fund the library’s annual budget. Residents will also vote on one library Board of Trustees seat, which has a five-year term.

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2025-26 Budget

Herkimer Central School District residents voted 223-61 on May 20, 2025, to approve the district’s $35,250,696 budget for the 2025-26 school year.

View the 2025-26 budget newsletter.

For more on previous, current and proposed budgets, visit the Budget Information page.

Understanding budgets