Yates County voters will decide two school budgets Tuesday that reflect very different financial pictures, but a similar balancing act: maintaining educational opportunities while navigating inflation, rising operational costs and uncertain long-term funding conditions.
Penn Yan and Dundee are both proposing budgets that stay within New York’s tax cap framework, though the districts are approaching the year ahead from opposite directions. Penn Yan is proposing a modest spending increase tied largely to inflation and required obligations, while Dundee is presenting a budget that actually reduces overall spending year-over-year while still expanding some academic and athletic opportunities.
In both districts, transportation propositions and Board of Education races are also on the ballot.
Penn Yan
Penn Yan Central School District is proposing a $43.36 million budget for 2026-27, representing a 2.45% increase over the current year budget. District officials say the proposal would require a 2.98% tax levy increase.
Superintendent Dr. Gregory Baker and Board President Kenneth Walker said the district received only the minimum 1% increase in Foundation Aid from New York state, creating pressure as inflation and operational costs continue rising. Even with those constraints, district leaders said the proposal maintains what they described as some of the strongest educational opportunities in the region.
The district emphasized continued investment in academic programming, student support services, transportation and extracurricular offerings while maintaining long-term fiscal responsibility. Employee benefits are projected to increase to more than $11.1 million next year, while debt service climbs modestly as well.
Penn Yan’s proposed budget includes approximately $1 million in reserve use and keeps the district below its maximum allowable tax cap threshold.
Voters will also decide a transportation proposition authorizing the purchase of two gasoline-powered student transport vehicles at a cost not to exceed roughly $373,000. District officials specifically noted there are no electric bus purchases included in this year’s proposal.
Four Board of Education seats are also on the ballot, including two full three-year terms and two unexpired terms. Candidates include Sharon Sweet, Karl Fleming, Stacey Gerhardt and Robin Johnson.
Dundee
Dundee Central School District is proposing a $21.87 million budget that would reduce overall spending by 3.8% compared to the current year, while carrying a proposed tax levy increase of 3.7% — matching the district’s allowable tax cap limit.
Superintendent Christopher Wood said the district built the proposal around maintaining expanded academic and athletic opportunities while staying fiscally responsible. District leaders highlighted efforts to align spending with budget targets without reducing educational quality.
Unlike many neighboring districts, Dundee is proposing an overall spending reduction despite continued investments in occupational education, athletics, transportation and technology. Instructional spending for occupational education is projected to increase more than 31%, while transportation costs are expected to rise nearly 14%.
District officials said the budget relies less heavily on reserves than the current year plan, with reserve usage dropping by more than $1.6 million year-over-year.
Dundee voters will also decide several additional propositions, including the purchase of three transportation vehicles using reserve funds with no direct tax levy impact.
Another proposition would establish a new 10-year capital reserve fund with a maximum value of $5 million for future construction, renovations, technology upgrades, transportation purchases and infrastructure work.
One of the more notable ballot questions in Yates County this year involves student transportation. Dundee voters will decide whether to authorize transportation for students living within 0.6 miles of school buildings — reversing a prior policy. District officials estimate the change would require roughly $50,000 in additional annual transportation expenses not eligible for state reimbursement.
A separate proposition would increase annual funding for Dundee Library from $184,000 to $190,000.
Three candidates — Doug Hammond, Jared Webster and Robert Neu — are running for three Board of Education seats.
While only two districts make up Yates County’s school budget landscape, the themes echo what’s playing out across the Finger Lakes: districts are trying to preserve educational opportunities while carefully managing taxes, reserves and long-term sustainability in an increasingly expensive operating environment.
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