MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh Central School officials last Wednesday approved a $25.6 million budget for the 2025-26 school year that holds a 1.5 percent tax levy increase.

At their April 15 meeting, officials continued to trim the budget and the gap. In March, the proposed budget stood at $26 million. Voters will be casting ballots on a $25,606,095 spending plan in May.

To fill the final budget gap, MCS will be using the district's CASHIC Medical & Rx Subsidy to pay for one month's insurance premium cost, said MCS Business Administrator Robyn Bhend.

Aside from that adjustment, the district made only minor changes in the proposed budget since the March budget workshop.

Officials have whittled the budget gap since January.

In March, the budget gap stood at $389,172, down from $509,079 in February and $1.2 million in January.

The proposed budget is up by about $516,000 or 2.06 percent over this year's plan.

The budget proposal carries a tax levy increase of 1.5 percent, the same as last year. This would increase the levy to $10.7 million, a hike of $158,486. The district could have increased the tax levy up to 2.99 percent, according to the state cap limit.

State aid is up by $397,679 or 3.13 percent to $13.1 million but there is a good possibility that the aid could increase when the state budget is finalized. It was due on April 1.

As of April 15, the state 2026 budget still has not passed. Officials will use the estimated revenues for the budget vote. If more Foundation Aid is received, less the district can use less reserves or fund balance in the budget, Ms. Bhend said.

To close the budget gap, officials agreed to use funding from the Capital Area Schools Health Insurance Consortium (CASHIC) to offset health insurance costs.

The budget proposal includes an increase for salaries and benefits of $311,000, or 1.83 percent, to $17.35 million.

The budget public hearing will be held on May 6 at 6pm and the public vote will be on Tuesday, May 19, from noon to 9pm.