Schalmont presented its preliminary 2025-26 school budget Monday evening, a budget that once again preserves all programs and opportunities for students, requires no cuts to faculty or staff, and invests in a new Pre-K program at Woestina Elementary.

After four straight years with no tax levy increase, the proposed 2025-26 budget includes a 1.75% increase.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Reardon explained to the Board of Education that the increase will help continue Schalmont’s long-term financial stability as the district reopens Woestina and adds staffing for its Pre-K program.

“We would love to continue our streak of no tax levy increases but we want to ensure Schalmont’s finances are strong as we build our Pre-K program,” said Dr. Reardon. “This budget allows us to invest in our educational program while keeping our first tax levy increase in four years to less than 2%.”

Schalmont recently announced that we are reopening Woestina Elementary in September to start a Pre-K program with three classrooms in the Rotterdam Junction school. Families have until April 11 to submit interest forms for the program, which are available on our website.

Dr. Reardon stressed that adding the Pre-K program will not impact any opportunities or programs for Schalmont’s other students.

“Our Pre-K Committee has said all along that adding Pre-K can’t be done at the expense of our K-12 students. This budget also funds all the opportunities our community has come to expect for their children at Schalmont schools,” said Dr. Reardon.

Schalmont will continue to develop the 2025-26 budget over the next month as we await final state aid figures and gain a clearer picture of expected costs such as health insurance and retirement rates. We will keep our community updated of any developments.

The Board plans to adopt a budget at its April meeting with the School Budget Vote taking place Tuesday, May 20.

The budget presentation from the Board meeting is available here as a pdf.

If you have any questions about the budget, please contact Dr. Reardon at treardon@schalmont.net.