$25 Million DA Budget Adopted, Vote May 19th - Three Propositions On Ballot, Budget Public Hearing May 11th

DELHI - Delaware Academy Central School District Board of Education unanimously adopted the $25,423,926 2026/2027 budget on April 20th. The total budget is an increase of 10.09% or $2,330,196 over the current year. The proposed tax levy increase is 2.9%.

Amid delays in the state budget process, the budget projects a 2% increase in Foundation aid. Foundation Aid is the formula for distributing funds among districts to ensure equitable resource allocation.

Superintendent Carey Shultz added that the budget seems inflated compared to years past, due to the capital project not yet being bonded and uncertainty about state aid. Other significant growths are due to a nearly 30% increase in health insurance costs, Shultz said.

The budget will be listed as Proposition One on the ballot and put before voters on Tuesday, May 19th. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 11th at 7 p.m., directly preceding a meet-the-candidates event at 6 p.m.

Two other propositions will appear on the May 19th ballot.

Proposition Two authorizes expenditure of up to $300,000 from the Technology Reserve Fund. If approved, the funds will be used to purchase new laptops, tablets, and smartboards. The district utilizes nearly 900 Chromebooks and tablets for students and teachers, which have an average life of 7 years, said Kelly Pinter, director of data. Many are becoming obsolete and need to be replaced, she reported. The smartboards are around 14 years old and cost between $3,500 to $5,000 each. Funds could replace up to 40 boards.

Pinter will look into buyback programs for boards and review potential lease programs for laptops and tablets. She anticipates that with this funding, the district will be able to adjust the budget to purchase only a few here and there rather than make such a major purchase at once.

Proposition Three authorizes expenditure of up to $765,000 in excess Capital Reserve Funds. The capital project came in under budget, and the district is seeking to use funds for other small capital improvement projects, such as addressing water runoff issues, repairing the gym floor, or resurfacing the tennis courts. Shults reminded the board that capital reserve funds cannot be used for programming and must remain allocated to ensure buildings are up to code and safe. If approved, the funds will not raise taxes.

The board is in the initial stages of planning the next capital project, which is expected to cost roughly $7.5 million in 2030.

The BOCES budget of $3,340,626 was adopted, along with transportation budgets of $1,500 for summer and $3,000 for the school year.

Other Business

The policy committee presented an updated condensed naming policy expected to be adopted in May. The committee is working to develop a book grievance policy.

The following donations were accepted: $1,000 from Chi-Young Hwang and a $2,000 match from JP Morgan for use in the music department, $409.50 from Hope Knap for football jerseys, eleven paper engineering pop-up books from Bertha Rogers for the art department, and $165 for the backpack program from St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Ro Avila was honored after serving the district for 35 years as an educator and board member.

The district is beginning discussions on how to use AI in the classroom. One board member presented concerns about AI and a reduction in gamma brain activity associated with cognitive engagement. She urged that the discussion include long-term ramifications, a point supported by other board members and Shultz.

The next regular board of education meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18, at 5 p.m.