Cayuga County voters will decide school budgets Tuesday across several districts facing the same core challenge: Rising costs that continue to outpace state aid growth and long-term revenue stability. The Auburn City School District’s proposal was covered separately earlier this week, while Union Springs had no budget documents publicly available on its website as of Friday.
Elsewhere across the county, districts are leaning on reserves, restructuring staffing, reducing expenses through attrition and emphasizing long-term fiscal planning to preserve classroom programming and extracurricular opportunities. Healthcare inflation emerged as one of the most consistent themes in nearly every proposal reviewed by FingerLakes1.com.
In addition to voting on school budgets Tuesday, residents in many districts will also weigh transportation purchases, library propositions and Board of Education races.
Cato-Meridian
Cato-Meridian is proposing a $26.7 million budget for 2026-27, representing a 13.5% increase in spending compared to the current year. Despite that jump, district officials say the proposed tax levy increase of 2.79% remains below the district’s allowable tax cap of 2.95%.
District leaders said declining enrollment and reduced state aid tied to enrollment losses remain major pressures. Superintendent Froio and the Board of Education said the proposal fully funds current academic programs, athletics, arts and extracurricular offerings while focusing on “right-sizing” operations and expanding future career pathways.
One of the largest drivers behind the budget increase is debt service and capital-related aid reimbursement tied to facilities projects. Building aid revenue is projected to nearly triple year-over-year, increasing by more than $2 million.
Voters will also decide on a transportation proposition authorizing up to $575,000 for three 64-passenger buses and a utility truck.
Two Board of Education seats are also on the ballot.
Moravia
Moravia Central School District is proposing a $31 million budget that would increase spending by 3.63% while raising the tax levy 2.5%.
Interim Superintendent Thomas Turck said the district faced significant financial pressure from healthcare costs, which are projected to rise 35% next year, despite only a modest 2% increase in state aid. District officials said the proposal was built through a “thoughtful and collaborative process” focused on balancing student needs with taxpayers’ ability to support the plan.
Moravia’s budget maintains current educational programming while continuing investments in transportation, special education and occupational education services. Employee benefits within the program component are projected to increase by nearly $954,000 year-over-year.
Residents will also vote on a proposition to purchase three new 66-passenger diesel buses as part of the district’s eight-year replacement plan. A separate proposition would increase annual funding for Powers Library by roughly $3,000, bringing total yearly support to $103,175.
Three candidates are running for two Board of Education seats.
Port Byron
Port Byron’s proposed 2026-27 budget totals just over $30 million, a 9.43% increase from the current year, while carrying a relatively modest 1.2% tax levy increase.
District materials frame the budget around the theme “Your Mission, Our Budget. Investing in their potential,” with continued emphasis on instructional programming, transportation and student services.
The district’s program component — which includes instruction, transportation and student services — accounts for more than 70% of total spending. Instructional expenses alone are projected to rise by more than $1.1 million next year, while employee benefits increase substantially across multiple budget categories.
Transportation costs are also climbing sharply. Contract transportation expenses are projected to increase by more than $540,000 year-over-year.
Despite the larger spending increase, Port Byron’s debt service obligations are expected to decline slightly next year, helping limit direct tax impacts on residents.
Southern Cayuga
Southern Cayuga Central School District is proposing a $22.9 million budget that reflects an 8.99% spending increase alongside a 3.45% tax levy increase.
District officials identified healthcare inflation as one of the primary budget drivers, with health insurance premiums alone increasing approximately $800,000 next year. To offset some of those costs, Southern Cayuga plans to use roughly $1.2 million from district reserves and savings.
The district emphasized that strong fiscal management in recent years allowed it to draw on reserves while still keeping the proposed tax increase below the allowable state tax cap.
Southern Cayuga is also asking voters to approve several additional propositions, including the purchase of three diesel buses and a gasoline-powered minivan as part of its ongoing transportation replacement cycle. Two separate library propositions tied to Aurora Free Library and Hazard Library Association funding increases are also on the ballot.
The district’s proposed capital outlay project would focus on exterior masonry repairs to the school planetarium, with state aid expected to reimburse more than 80% of the project cost.
Four candidates are seeking two Board of Education seats.
Weedsport
Weedsport Central School District is proposing a budget shaped heavily by what district officials described as a “perfect storm” of financial pressures, including soaring healthcare costs, inflation, declining enrollment and unfunded mandates.
District leaders said health insurance expenses alone are projected to increase by roughly $900,000 next year — more than a 45% jump — creating an initial budget deficit exceeding $1.6 million.
To close that gap, the district is relying on a combination of retirements, staffing reductions, administrative restructuring, energy savings, BOCES partnerships and one-time building aid revenue.
Weedsport’s staffing reductions include two administrative positions, nearly one instructional position and several non-instructional reductions through attrition, resignations and voluntary hour cuts.
District officials said the proposal was built around maintaining safety, preserving comprehensive academic and extracurricular offerings, protecting reserves and sustaining high-quality instruction despite the financial pressures.
Across Cayuga County, school leaders are making a similar argument to voters this spring: districts can still preserve educational opportunities, but the financial balancing act required to do it is becoming increasingly difficult. Rising healthcare costs, energy prices and operational expenses are now driving budget conversations as much as academics themselves.
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