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RANDOLPH – Randolph Central School board members have spent the summer reflecting after the defeat of its 2026-27 budget – and the board is pledging to do a better job communicating with district residents moving forward.
Board members sent a letter to district residents recently thanking voters who cast votes on two defeated budget votes as well as teachers, staff, administrators and other employees. The letter was signed by board members David Adams, Louise Boutwell, Eric Brown, Kyle A. Brown, Daniel Jackson, Julie Milliman and Lacey Pihlblad.
“Since the votes, the board has reflected on what happened, how we reached this point, and what we need to do differently,” the board’s letter states. “People voted no for many reasons, but one message has become clear: we owe you better communication. One of the board’s most important responsibilities is helping the community understand why difficult decisions are being considered. Looking back, we did not do that well enough during this budget process.”
While the district’s financial issues were discussed during open board meetings and shared through social media and community groups, board members said they didn’t make the information easy enough for the broader community to find and understand and didn’t create enough opportunities for public discussion. After the first budget defeat, additional information was made available on the district’s website and more explanation was given, but board members said those efforts should have come sooner.
“We should have spent more time listening, answering questions and explaining the district’s finances before asking residents to consider an increase of this size,” the letter states. We recognize that trust has been strained. Some residents opposed any tax increase. Others believed the increase was too much at one time or felt they didn’t have enough information before voting. We understand that repeating the same explanations will not rebuild trust. Trust must be earned through our actions.”
EXPLAINING THE BUDGET
“The community will not always agree with every board decision,” the letter states. “However, residents should expect the board to listen, explain its decisions honestly and accept responsibility for the results. We owe you openness, honesty and the opportunity to understand not only what decisions are being made, but why.”
Board members said they have kept tax levy increases as low as possible over the past several years because, at the time, the district had a strong fund balance and had received audits from the state Comptroller’s Office that raised concerns about the size of the district’s surplus. Temporary COVID-19 aid from the federal government supported programs during and shortly after the pandemic while also limiting the need to increase local taxes.
When the temporary aid ended, continued use of the fund balance couldn’t support the cost of programs, though the board continued to be conservative with requested tax levy increases.
“While understandable, these choices left the district with less flexibility,” the letter states. “We could have done more to prepare the community and address the growing gap sooner.”
At the same time, the district chose to finance $1.8 million in costs associated with Child Victims Act claims that added a recurring cost to the budget. Health insurance costs have increased 55% since the 2021-22 school year, adding $1 million to the district’s budget. The reassessment of Allegany State Park lowered property tax rates, but caused the district to appear wealthier under the state’s school aid formula and limited the amount of aid the school district receive while the tax cap limits how much the district can increases taxes without a 60% supermajority vote from the public.
“In simple terms, one state formula assumes Randolph can raise more money locally, while another restricts how quickly it can do so,” the letter states. “The overall result is straightforward. The district’s costs increased significantly while its ability to generate enough ongoing revenue became more limited.”
'DIFFICULT CHOICES'
The result of those issues was a $27,021,901 2026-27 budget proposal that came with a 19.27% increase in spending and a 39.75% increase in the district's property tax levy. The initial budget proposal was defeated 313-191, or a 62% disapproval rate, in May. The board put up a revised budget totaling $25,996,501 with a proposed 19.75% tax increase in June that was defeated by a 602-491 vote, or a 55% disapproval rate.
The second budget defeat locks Randolphg into a contingency budget for the 2026-27 school year. That budget includes using $836,000 from the district fund balance as a funding source while the board has asked district leadership not to spend nearly $750,000 authorized in the contingency budget. While that money remains in the budget, the board is working to reduce actual spending and lessen the district’s future reliance on the fund balance.
“These restrictions will require difficult choices, and the board must consider their effects on students, employees, district organizations and long-term financial health,” the letter states.