Carmel Central School District Budget: What Next?

 May 19, 2021 – The Carmel Central School District Board of Education will meet Thursday to determine next steps, following the defeat of its proposed $133,581,366 budget for the 2021-2022 school year. Options include holding another budget vote after soliciting input from the voters or adopting a contingency budget, which would require cutting $1,664,980 from the proposed budget.

“Obviously, we are disappointed that the proposed budget with a tax levy increase of 1.69% and plans to maintain all existing academic programs and services was not approved by our community,” said Superintendent Mary-Margaret Zehr. “We are reaching out today through Thought Exchange to solicit feedback from the voters to help inform our next steps.”

Voters defeated the proposed $133,581,366 budget for the 2021-2022 school year, with 1,296 voting no and 1,125 in favor. The proposition to implement a system of walk-in (continuous) voter registration passed by a vote of 1,470 to 903.

Zehr said the Board of Education and District leadership believed the proposal served the needs of both the students and the taxpayers. If the board chooses to adopt a contingency budget, it must freeze the District tax levy, cut spending and reduce staffing. The board meets Thursday at 7 p.m. to determine next steps.

“It is critical that we hear from you, the voters, as we navigate these decisions about our children’s future,” said Superintendent Zehr. “We are asking voters to please provide their feedback and insights on the defeated budget proposal through a Thought Exchange. It is only with the help of the community that we can move forward in providing for our students’ future.”