OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Business Administrator Kerrie Pelletter provided an update on the proposed 2026-27 Forestville school budget at a recent Board of Education workshop.

FORESTVILLE — The Forestville Central School District is inching closer to finalizing its school budget for the 2026-27 school year. As things stand now, the district is projecting a total budget of just over $15 million.

The district is eyeing a 2.9% tax levy increase, amounting to an extra $119,113 raised from taxpayers this upcoming year. The 2.9% increase is the maximum allowable under the tax cap. The tax levy limit for 2026-27 is $4,242,810.

As is the case with most school budgets, the majority of the cost is tied up in wages and benefits of district employees. Wages and benefits amount to more than $9.4 million of the $15 million budget — 63% of the overall budget. Wages are projected to increase by $334,633 from the previous budget, while benefits are projected to increase by $274,461. The total budget is projected to increase from $14,194,347 to $15,003,462.

“We’re not adding new programs this year. We’re not adding new staff. We did that already,” Superintendent Dr. John O’Connor said. “Now we’re just looking to add fidelity to what we have.”

One other notable increase to the budget is the amount allocated to the Clean Green Energy Project, under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The project consists of the installation of HVAC systems and mechanical upgrades throughout the district at a total cost of $7,466,977.

The Clean Green Energy Project will be funded at no additional tax impact to district taxpayers, thanks to a grant of $945,377, $100,000 in utility rebates, and roughly $6.4 million of New York State Building Aid. However, to do so, the district will be required to make appropriate budget transfers to pay for the project upfront, while receiving reimbursement in subsequent years. Those budget transfers are reflected in the total budget amount of just over $15 million, with an additional $360,000 of inter-fund transfers from the previous year.

“It’s showing, budget-to-budget, a bigger increase than it actually is,” Business Administrator Kerrie Pelletter said.

O’Connor stated the Clean Green Energy Project is targeting a start date of this upcoming summer, with hopes of completion by December. If the project is not completed by December of 2026, the inter-fund transfers will be done the following year.

While the State Aid figures are not finalized yet, Forestville is projecting an increase of $548,004 in State Aid from the previous year, totaling $9,132,359. Combined with the increase to the tax levy, the district anticipates an increase in revenue of $667,117. The total revenue projection for 2026-27 is tentatively listed at $13,934,362, along with $501,724 of appropriated fund balance.

The district is projecting $5,695,970 in Foundation Aid, an increase of $56,395; $1,043,046 in Transportation Aid, an increase of $94,410; $683,949 in BOCES Aid, an increase of $61,469; and $134,392 in Private Cost Excess Aid, an increase of $89,456. The district does, however, project a decrease of $31,447 of its Building Aid, for an estimated amount of $1,220,276. In total, the district projects an increase of $288,004 in total State Aid.

The district hopes to have a better picture of its projected revenue for 2026-27 by the next budget workshop, scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, prior to the next regular Board of Education meeting.