OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Dunkirk Board of Education members and Superintendent Brian Swatland, fourth from right, get ready for the February board meeting.

Dunkirk City School District Superintendent Brian Swatland envisions a 2% property tax hike in the 2026-27 budget. However, he acknowledged that could leave the district about $133,000 short of balancing the spending plan.

Swatland suggested the 2% hike to the Dunkirk Board of Education to keep down the financial burden on taxpayers still reeling from an 84% city government tax hike two years ago. Nevertheless, he ran numbers showing that a little extra from city taxpayers — just short of 1%, for a 2.99% rise — would go a long way toward balancing the budget.

The added 0.99% would result in about $107,000 more for the district than the plain 2% tax hike would provide.

“We also have to be conscious of the financial landscape and the taxes imposed by the city,” Swatland said.

The superintendent projects $61,270,911 in expenses for 2026-27 against $61,137,733 in revenue with a 2% tax hike. Expenses for the current 2025-26 school year were budgeted at $60,230,000.

Most of the 2026-27 revenue comes from a projected $46,503,724 in state aid. Swatland also proposes the use of $1,928,856 in fund balance.

“This budget will change between today and when we submit the final budget,” Swatland pointed out. For one, the official state aid number depends on the approval of New York’s budget, which is supposed to happen by April Fools’ Day. However, the state Legislature has repeatedly missed that deadline in the past.

The Dunkirk Board of Education plans to adopt the budget April 14. A public budget hearing will be held May 5. Final approval of the budget is up to Dunkirk City School District voters, who will vote on it May 19.