Fort Plain Central School District > Budget

Budget

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School Budget Development

The school budget is the biggest investment the community collectively makes with its tax dollars. District leaders work to make the most thoughtful and effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner and to be accountable to taxpayers.

Annual school budget development timeline

  • January – March: District administration and the Board of Education work to develop preliminary budget.
  • February: Presentation of Superintendent’s Draft Budget to the Board of Education.
  • Late February: Board of Education candidate petitions available.
  • March: Presentation of Superintendent’s Proposed Budget, legal notice of school budget hearing and budget vote.
  • April: Final budget presentation by the Superintendent. Board adopts budget and property tax report card.
  • April: Deadline for Board of Education candidate petitions. Absentee ballots made available to requestors.
  • April: Distribution of “Property Tax Report Card” within 24 hours of budget adoption.
  • May: Budget Hearing.
  • May: School Budget Notice mailed to the community.
  • Third Tuesday in May: Budget Vote and Board Trustee Election.

Proposed 2026-27 School Year Budget

Wednesday, May 6 – Public Hearing on the 2026-27 School Budget
6 p.m., District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, NY.

Tuesday, May 19 – 2026-27 School Budget Vote and Board Candidate Election
12 noon – 8 p.m.,  Harry Hoag Elementary School Library

2026-27 budget documentation

2025-26 School Year Budget

Budget Details

Vote: 136 yes to 24 no votes
2025-26 budget: $24 million
Budget increase: 0.65%
Tax levy increase: 1.00%

Highlights

  • Preserves all academic programs and staffing.
  • Referendum authorizing the district to purchase three school buses/vehicles at a cost not to exceed $400,000. These funds will be drawn from reserve funds.

Learn more about the 2025-26 school budget and budget vote. 

View the 2025-26 budget documents.

    School Taxes

    School property tax rates are set in August for the upcoming school year. Tax rates are based on the total tax levy in the voter-approved school budget, the state-determined equalization rates, and assessment rolls for each town.

    School property taxes are due Oct. 31 each year. Payments that are mailed must be postmarked no later than Oct. 31.

    View your tax bill | STAR exemptions website

    Budget Voter Requirements

    • U.S. citizen
    • School district resident for at least 30 days
    • 18 years of age

    District NYS Report Card

    Early voting/absentee ballots

    Early voting/absentee ballot applications may be obtained from the District Clerk, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.

    Completed applications for ballots must be returned to the District Clerk at least seven days before the vote and election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the vote and election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

    Early/absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.