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The Kingston City School District is proposing a $258.08 million budget for the 2026-27 school year, which includes the elimination of 59 positions. The district aims to manage these cuts through retirements and a standby list to potentially reinstate employees. During a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday (April 21), Superintendent Paul Padalino stated that about 30 positions would be vacated due to retirements.
Padalino explained that 62% of the positions would come from the teachers' union, 34% from professional support, and the remainder from district administrators. He noted, "Through attrition, we were able to have 29 layoffs... but the laid-off employees will remain on our call back list for the next seven years." No reductions are planned for the CSEA unit due to existing vacancies and the need for skilled personnel.
The proposed budget reflects a 3.43% increase, totaling $8.56 million more than the previous year, with a property tax levy of $130.88 million—a 4.04% increase. Changes in the budget include a $200,000 decrease in salaries, a $3.16 million increase in employee benefits, and a $6.96 million increase in debt service.
A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, at the Meagher Administration Building. Voting will take place on May 19 in the district's elementary schools. The ballot will also include elections for three school board seats with three-year terms and one seat with a one-year term to fill a vacancy.
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