The Hornell City School District will bring a $49,897,933 spending plan to voters in May.
The 2026-27 budget, which was approved by the board of education on April 22, sees spending go up 10.94% over the 2025-26 school year.
The budget calls for a 2.94% increase in the district’s tax levy, well under the 4.37% cap.
Because the tax levy increase does not exceed the cap, the budget will only need 50% plus one for passage when it comes before city school district voters on Tuesday, May 19.
The total amount of the tax levy under the proposal is $8 million. The estimated tax rate per $1,000 of assessed property is $13.66, however district officials expect the rate to be under $13 per $1,000 when tax bills go out.
Polls will be open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Hornell High School lobby.
These are major drivers of spending increase in Hornell school budget
According to a district budget summary, the largest drivers on the expense side of the budget are increased costs for debt service, health insurance and benefits, salaries and BOCES services.
Here are notable increases:
● Benefits: $1,068,938● Salaries: $1,129,658● Debt Service: $970,600● BOCES: $1,905,386
Mitigating the debt service increase is that the district will receive state reimbursement of about 95% on debt related to capital projects.
BOCES programing costs are also eligible for a substantial reimbursement from state aid.
This is how much state aid is headed to Hornell schools
With no new state budget in place, school districts are relying on the funding projections contained in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget to build their spending plans.
The executive budget includes $33,601,132 in total aid to the Hornell City School District for the 2026-27 academic year, an increase of 2.24% compared to 2025-26.
Under the governor’s budget, Hornell would receive $22,919,777 in Foundation Aid, a 4.88% or just over $1 million increase compared to last year.
State Foundation Aid is a critical funding source as it supports the day-to-day operations of the school.
“Building a school budget is always challenging without the New York state legislative budget, given that approximately 75% of our revenue comes from New York state,” said Hornell Superintendent Jeremy Palotti.
“That said, we feel confident that the revenue numbers we are using from the (executive) budget should be close given that the budget stalls are not school aid related. Understanding this, we are still cautious.”
Board election, propositions also come before voters May 19
In addition to the budget, voters will elect school board candidates and weigh in on several propositions.
Three seats, each for five-year terms, will be filled by voters on May 19. The board positions presently held by Joseph Liberto, Dr. Uzma Mehr and James Marino will be contested in the election.
School board candidates have until 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 29 to file petitions with the district clerk.
The school ballot will also include a proposition to increase tax support for the Hornell Public Library from $407,382 to $454,734, a pair of transportation measures, and a proposition to finalize the transfer of Maple City Park from the City of Hornell to the school district.
How to learn more about Hornell 2026-27 school budget
The school district will hold a public hearing for the 2026-27 spending plan at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 5 in the Hornell High School library.
The school board’s regular May meeting will follow the public hearing.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Spending up nearly 11% in $49.8 million Hornell school budget proposal
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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