The Cornwall Central School District Board of Education on April 7 discussed several proposed additions to the 2025–26 budget — including one full‑time early intervention support teacher, two school safety monitors, an externally facilitated district strategic plan and extra universal prekindergarten seats — and chose a compromise funding approach as it prepares to adopt the budget April 24.

“April 7 here we are. We've made some nice steady progress for our budget presentation,” said district business staff as the presentation began. The administration reviewed a recommended budget that initially used a 2.5% tax levy and $2.356 million in assigned fund balance to balance a roughly $92 million spending plan. Added requests presented by board members and the public totaled about $216,702 before later adjustments.

Key contested items were: a 1.0 FTE early intervention support teacher (the administration proposed swapping that hire for two safety monitors), two unarmed civil‑service safety monitors for school entrances, a $45,000 district strategic‑planning engagement and funding for an additional 10 UPK seats (speakers later urged 20 seats). The administration said the teacher swap would be shared between buildings and might reduce cost slightly depending on step placement and insurance elections.

Board members offered three funding options: keep the 2.5% levy and use more assigned fund balance (option A); increase the levy to about 2.91% to fund additions (option B); or split the difference with a 2.7% levy and a higher assigned fund balance (option C). After public comment and internal debate the board signaled support for including 20 UPK seats and ultimately directed administration to prepare a budget using a split approach (the board recorded a majority for the split‑funding option at the meeting).

Safety and staffing drew sharp remarks from board members. “My sole vote will not waiver or move off of the school safety monitors,” said Tiffany (board member), citing training and her experience with juvenile threat cases; other board members argued the early‑intervention hire would have greater classroom impact. Administrators described logistical constraints at specific schools (for example, the planned Willow Avenue vestibule and building traffic) and said one safety monitor could be placed at Willow while other staffing adjustments and rotations could mitigate coverage gaps.

The board also authorized placing a capital‑reserve proposition on the May 20 ballot to create a new $5 million capital reserve fund; administration said the district intends to use surplus or designated reserves to seed that account and will seek public approval.

Next steps: the board asked administration to return a final, line‑by‑line budget for adoption on April 24 that reflects the board’s direction (include 1.0 FTE early intervention support teacher in lieu of some security positions, add 20 UPK seats, and use a split funding approach). The board also asked for clearer cost estimates for staff step placement and for provider contract terms related to UPK enrollment and payments.