The Cornwall Central School District Board of Education on April 24 approved a $92,986,803 proposed budget for the 2025–26 school year and voted to place it on the May 20 ballot, approving a property tax levy increase of 2.75 percent.

The resolution passed 7–2; Board member Tiffany Galliano and Board member Bass voted no. The district’s property tax report in the resolution lists a proposed tax-levy increase of $1,444,371 (2.75%). The district’s business official, John Fink, told the board the adjusted budget reflects a mix of recurring costs and four board-prioritized additions: one safety monitor at Willow Avenue, one split early-intervention teacher shared between Cornwall and Hudson/Willow, 20 additional Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) seats, and a raise to uncertified substitute pay. Those additions total about $271,000, Fink said.

Why it matters: the board’s adopted budget sets local spending priorities and, if voters approve the proposition on May 20, will raise local property taxes next year to cover the gap between revenues and expenditures. Board members stressed the trade-offs between preserving staff and programs and limiting tax increases; opponents cited concern for taxpayers’ financial burden.

Board and administration comments: Superintendent Terry Dade summarized the district’s multi-year expansion of UPK seats and the district’s approach to partnering with outside providers, noting several providers accepted early partnership risks. In public comment and during board discussion, multiple parents and teachers urged transparency on provider fees and before/after care costs. Parent Cynthia Fasillo offered written confirmation from one provider that it would not charge for empty UPK seats; Dr. Kate Esmezar and other speakers pressed the board to prioritize children and asked for more transparency in before/after care pricing.

John Hines, president of the Cornwall Central Teachers Association, announced that the district and the CCTA had reached a tentative contract agreement and described changes to bargaining practices that he credited with speeding negotiations. "The district and association have reached a tentative agreement on our next contract," Hines said. The contract settlements for multiple employee units were discussed as part of the budget context but were not themselves adopted as part of the night’s resolution.

Dissent and support: Board member Tiffany Galliano said she opposed the budget “and I will be voting no,” citing concern about raising the tax levy under current economic conditions while also reaffirming support for teachers and UPK in principle. Board member Bass said he would vote no for similar reasons. Board members who voted in favor said they supported the package of priorities, argued the levy is modest relative to inflationary pressures and rising district costs, and warned that adopting a contingency budget (if voters reject the proposal) would force cuts estimated at roughly $1.44 million and likely eliminate a number of teaching positions.

Next steps and ballot items: The adopted resolution sends the $92,986,803 budget and the property tax proposition (2.75% levy increase) to voters on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The board also noted a second proposition on the May 20 ballot to establish a capital reserve fund. Fink said final state-aid figures remain pending and that any change in state aid would flow to fund balance or reserves if positive and be covered by fund balance if negative.

Votes at a glance:
- Adopt proposed 2025–26 budget: Passed; 7–2 (Yeas: 7; Nays: Board member Tiffany Galliano, Board member Bass). Motion/second: mover not specified; second: Tiffany Galliano (motion was moved and seconded on the record). The budget amount and levy placed on the May 20 ballot as read into the record by the board president.
- Consent agenda, item 8 (Orange-Ulster BOCES board nominations): Passed (voice vote recorded as “Aye”); no abstentions recorded.
- Consent agenda, item 10 (Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson water exemption): Passed; Board member Tiffany Galliano abstained from that vote because she is a village trustee.

What the budget does not decide tonight: The tentative teacher agreements discussed by John Hines were reported as agreed upon between the district and bargaining units, but any ratification by the board or membership will follow the contractual approval and ratification processes described by union and district leadership. The board’s vote tonight was limited to placing the proposed budget and propositions on the May 20 ballot.

Ending: The board’s budget hearing is scheduled for May 6; the public vote is May 20. If voters reject the budget and the district must adopt a contingency budget, the board and administration said they would notify the public of required reductions and any subsequent steps.