MIDDLEBURGH - The numbers are starting to fall into place and the budget shortfall has been cut in half for the Middleburgh Central School 2026-27 spending plan.

Costs for the medical position of health insurance, a guidance counselor retirement, and a reduction in the teacher retirement costs have reduced the current proposed budget to $25,999,000, down from a $26.2 million "rollover" budget, a reduction of $196,420, according to MCS business administrator Robyn Bhend. The current budget is $25.1 million.

The budget shortfall has been reduced from $1.2 million to $509,079, Ms. Bhend told school board members at their February 11 board meeting.

Ms. Bhend noted that the teachers retirement system cost will have an increase of 8.24 percent and not the predicted 8.75 percent. The medical portion of health insurance will see an increase of 17 percent and one long-time guidance counselor is retiring. In addition, according to the governors' executive budget proposal, MCS state is up by $286,161.

Prescription medical insurance costs will not be finalized until March, Ms. Bhend added, which could further reduce costs.

More adjustments have to be made, she noted, but she added, "We're headed in the right direction."

Budget gaps in the past have totaled more than $1 million and board members whittled them down to a manageable amount.

The current 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 can increase the tax levy up to 2.99 percent, according to the state cap limit.

The current budget proposal includes an increase for salaries and benefits of $760,000, or 4.46 percent, to $17.8 million.

The next budget workshop is scheduled for March 11. Board members will approve the 2026-27 budget in April and it will go to voters in May.