2026-27 Budget Development Calendar

September / October

Board Guidelines to Superintendent

November / December

Instructions to Key Budget Contributors 

December 19

Budget Requests to Business Office

January 5

Staffing & Program Requests Business Office and Superintendent

March 4

Presentation of Budget Priorities

• Review of District Priorities
• Enrollment Projections
• Staffing Projections
• Revenue Projections Overview

• Maximum Allowable Tax Levy 

March 18

Instructional Programs, Student Support Services & Technology

• Chester Elementary School
• Chester Academy Middle School & High School
• Technology
• Special Education and Student Support Services
• BOCES Instructional Services

March 25

Facilities, Transportation & Athletics

• Building & Grounds
• Transportation
• Athletics

April 8

Undistributed Expenses, Central Services, & BOCES Services

• Undistributed - Debt Service, Benefits, Inter-fund Transfers
• Central Services
• Central Admin, BOE
• BOCES Administrative Services

April 21

Final Budget Overview & Board Actions

• Final Budget Overview
• Contingent Budget Review
• Board of Education Adopts Appropriations Budget
• Adopt Property Tax Report Card
• Vote on BOCES Budget and Candidates

May 6

Legal Budget Hearing

May 19

Budget Vote

Monday, March 1, 2026

Tax Levy Cap due to NYS Comptroller

Monday, April 20, 2026

Petitions Due by 5pm for Board of Education Seats

Petitions for propositions to be placed on ballot

Friday, April 27, 2026

Property Tax Report Card to SED & local papers

Military Ballots distributed

Monday, April 27, 2026

“Hambletonian News” Sent to Printer

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Budget Available to Public

“Hambletonian News” Sent to Mailer

Tuesday, May 6, 2026

Legal Budget Hearing

Voter Registration

Last day for absentee ballots to be mailed

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Postcard Mailed to Each Household ( Six Day Notice)

“Hambletonian News” Sent to Post Office for Mailing

Tuesday, May 19, 2026  

Budget Vote! 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. - Chester Academy