East Ramapo proposes $367 million 2026–27 budget with no tax-levy increase

East Ramapo Central School District announced a proposed $367 million budget for the 2026–27 school year and said the plan would not increase the local tax levy, asking voters to decide the measure on Tuesday, May 19.

"It's a fiscal plan that reflects our shared commitment to academic excellence, responsible financial stewardship, and the diverse needs of our entire school community," the Presenter said, framing the proposal as balancing services and fiscal restraint.

The district identified three core priorities in the proposal. First, it said improving academic outcomes is paramount, with investments aimed at strengthening early literacy for incoming kindergarteners, expanding supports for English language learners and students with disabilities, and bolstering mathematics and STEM instruction. Second, the plan targets long-delayed capital and facility needs, including upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems districtwide. Third, the budget gives special attention to transportation: the Presenter noted the district not only transports its public school students but also transports more than 35,000 non-public students, a responsibility the district said must be addressed in planning and funding.

The Presenter described the $367 million figure as balancing current needs with planning for the future and said the district intends to maintain and increase educational services "by maximizing state aid and effectively managing departmental budgets and overall operations and programming." The proposal also includes expenditures for new athletics and marching band uniforms, physical education and sports equipment, and expanded classroom technology.

The announcement directed residents to the district website, ercd.org, for more details on the proposed budget, board of education candidates and polling locations. "Your vote matters, and we encourage you to make your voice heard," the Presenter said.

If approved by voters on May 19, the budget would guide district spending for the 2026–27 school year; the Presenter did not state implementation dates beyond the fiscal year or provide a detailed line-item breakdown in this message. For full budget documents and specific funding sources, the district referenced materials on its website.