HCSD BOE Meeting 3 12 26

The Horseheads Central School District Board of Education held a meeting on March 16, 2026, focusing extensively on the upcoming budget for the 2026-2027 school year. Key procurement-related discussions included budget allocations for adding three assistant principals at the elementary level, restoring two floating bus monitors to support student safety on buses, and purchasing replacement vehicles critical for transportation and facilities operations. The board reviewed state aid increases totaling approximately $512,000 and additional revenue sources, leading to a proposed budget of $112.2 million with over $1 million in reductions identified. The superintendent search budget of $45,000 was debated, with suggestions to conduct the search internally or through cooperative purchasing to reduce costs. The board also discussed cooperative purchasing policies and approved several finance and miscellaneous action items, including change orders related to construction projects. A motion was passed to extend the timeline for the ad hoc committee on school start time evaluation, with associated consulting costs discussed. Overall, the meeting emphasized fiscal responsibility, strategic budget adjustments, and maintaining essential staffing and services to support student safety and educational quality.