KCSD Board of Education Meeting 5/6/26

The Kingston City Schools Board of Education held a meeting on May 6, 2026, primarily focused on presenting and discussing the district's budget for the 2026-2027 school year. The presentation detailed significant challenges including declining student enrollment, reduced state aid, and rising operational costs, particularly in transportation and special education. The proposed budget includes a 4.04% tax levy increase and allocates $3.5 million from fund balance and reserves to balance expenditures. The board discussed potential staff reductions, including layoffs of teachers and teaching assistants, which sparked extensive public comment expressing concern over the impact on student services, especially literacy and special education support. The board postponed votes on abolishing positions to allow further deliberation. Additionally, the meeting included approval of a memorandum of agreement and a settlement related to a student with a disability. Public comments emphasized the need for transparency, prioritization of frontline staff over administrative costs, and advocacy for the release of court-awarded state funding. No new contracts or procurement decisions were reported during this meeting.