On Tuesday, May 26, the Board of Education adopted a revised budget proposal of $27.6 million for the 2026-27 school year.
Cambridge CSD residents will vote on the proposal on Tuesday, June 16 from 12-8 p.m. in the HS Gym. In addition to the budget, residents will also vote on propositions related to vehicle purchasing and the transportation capital reserve fund allocation.
As a reminder, all individuals must provide proof of residency at the vote (driver’s license, piece of mail, etc.). Proof must include a physical address, not a P.O. Box.
Budget requires supermajority approval
The school tax levy, or total amount of money collected from local property owners, would increase by 5.5%. This increase exceeds the tax cap and requires a supermajority (60%) approval.
Tax rates for individual properties will be determined over the summer after equalization rates and assessments are available for the district’s eight towns. Based on what we know from last year, our best estimate of the proposed tax increase can be found below.
| Assessed Value | Estimated Monthly Increase |
|---|---|
| $150,000 | $8.57 |
| $200,000 | $11.43 |
| $250,000 | $14.29 |
| $300,000 | $17.15 |
| $350,000 | $20.00 |
| $400,000 | $22.86 |
Budget presentation
View the budget presentation from the May 26 Board meeting.
Proposal includes cuts and restructuring
The revised proposal includes a number of cuts to positions, including:
- K-12 Social Worker
- Educational Aides (2)
- Teaching Assistants (2)
- Cafeteria Worker (.5)
- Teaching Positions (5)
These positions will be cut through attrition and staff layoffs.
The district is restructuring two administrative positions using existing staff to achieve cost reductions. The Elementary Dean of Students position will be filled by a current teacher or teaching assistant. Additionally, the High School Associate Principal position will be replaced with a part-time High School Dean of Students, which will be filled by a current teacher or teaching assistant who will take on a reduced teaching load.
In addition, the number of Professional Support Providers will be reduced from 10 to 5 and the elementary Academic Intervention Service (AIS) structure will be reconfigured.
Voters to decide on vehicle purchase proposition
Voters will also consider a proposition regarding school bus and van purchases.
The district is proposing to purchase four 70-passenger diesel buses (three new, one used) and one gasoline van. The proposition reflects a total cost of $635,684, utilizing $117,000 of the transportation capital reserve fund to offset the cost. On average, 80% of the cost would be reimbursed through transportation aid.
These proposed purchases are essential to maintaining a full, reliable diesel fleet. With three leased buses scheduled for return at the end of this school year, failing to replace them would force the district to consolidate bus routes. This could result in the elimination of transportation for students living within one mile of their school. Furthermore, it would leave the district with just a single spare bus, severely restricting our ability to accommodate simultaneous field trips and athletic events.
In the event the vehicle proposition passes but the budget proposition is defeated, the district would not be able to move forward with these purchases.
Voters to consider increasing the transportation capital reserve fund
Voters will also consider a proposition to increase the district’s transportation capital reserve fund allocation. By increasing the allocation, the district can place any unspent money in this reserve to save for future bus purchases. This fund operates as a savings account for transportation vehicles and can help offset the cost of purchases in future years.
The district plans to continue purchasing diesel school buses. The NYS EV bus mandate has been pushed back five years. In 2032, districts must start to purchase EV buses with a full fleet by 2040.
Absentee Ballots/Early Voting
Applications for absentee ballots are obtainable between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays, from the district clerk’s office at 58 South Park Street. Completed applications must be received by the district clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the district clerk no later than 5 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, June 16.
The New York Early Mail Voter Act allows registered voters to request a mail-in ballot. You can request an early voter ballot in person up to the day of the election.
Public Hearing/Board of Education Meeting – June 9
A public hearing on the revised proposed 2026-27 budget will be held on Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. in the High School Library. The June Board meeting will also take place on June 9 instead of the previously scheduled date (June 11). The Board meeting will immediately follow the budget hearing.