Leaders of the Auburn Enlarged City School District say the district’s proposed $112 million budget for next school year may balance on paper, but long-term financial pressures tied to staffing, transportation and state aid uncertainty are already creating concerns about the future.
During an episode of Inside Government with Guy Cosentino, Superintendent Misty Slavic and Business Manager Tessa Crawford outlined the district’s proposed 2026-27 spending plan, which carries a 2.43% tax levy increase and uses approximately $1.25 million in fund balance to close remaining gaps.
The proposed budget totals just under $112 million, an increase of roughly $4.7 million, or 4.34%, over the current year. Officials said much of that growth is being driven by contractual salary obligations, rising health insurance costs, transportation expenses and special education needs.
District officials said Auburn is currently projecting a 2.7% increase in state aid based on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal, though some of that increase is reimbursement-based and tied to spending requirements.
The uncertainty surrounding the overdue state budget remains a major concern. Crawford said the district is using the governor’s proposed numbers in its budget calculations and would use any additional state aid approved by lawmakers to reduce reliance on fund balance rather than lowering the tax levy.
One of the largest new cost pressures comes from transportation. Officials said Auburn recently negotiated a new transportation contract that increased costs by roughly 16%, reflecting inflation, staffing shortages and operational changes since the district’s last contract was bid in early 2020.
District leaders also pointed to temporary transportation adjustments that will be required because of the closure of the Lake Avenue Bridge, which will force the district to add bus stops and additional transportation routes for some students who previously walked to school.
The budget also includes several additions tied to special education services, including three special education teaching positions, three teacher assistants, three teacher aides and a speech therapist. Slavic said the additions are needed both for incoming kindergarten students with higher needs and for older students aging into new grade levels that require expanded programming.
At the same time, the district is cutting or restructuring positions elsewhere. Officials said the plan eliminates approximately 6.5 support staff positions through restructuring, removes three teaching positions through attrition and restructures three administrative positions.
Summer school programming is also being preserved despite the expiration of federal pandemic-era funding. Officials said the district previously used COVID relief money to support portions of its elementary summer programming but will now absorb those costs into the regular operating budget.
Beyond the immediate budget cycle, district leaders acknowledged Auburn faces a much larger structural challenge in the years ahead.
Officials said a five-year financial projection developed by the district shows a potential $17.5 million budget gap over time if rising costs continue to outpace state aid and local revenue growth.
Crawford said the district’s long-term concerns are largely tied to fixed costs including salaries, benefits and contractual obligations. While retirements and attrition may help offset some future expenses, officials acknowledged those savings alone will not be enough to close projected gaps.
School officials also warned voters that if the proposed budget fails on May 19 and the district moves to a contingency budget, Auburn would immediately lose the ability to raise the tax levy and would face additional mandatory reductions affecting equipment purchases, administrative spending, classroom programming and community use of school facilities.
Under a contingency budget, community organizations that currently use district facilities at no cost could also begin facing rental charges.
Voters in the district will head to the polls May 19 to decide on the budget, three Board of Education seats and a proposal to establish a new capital reserve fund intended to help offset future building project costs. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Casey Park, Auburn Junior High School, Owasco Elementary and Seward Elementary.
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