ROCKLAND — The Rockland Central School District’s proposed 2026-27 budget includes a reduction of at least seven positions, even as board members raised concerns about rising spending, prior staff reductions and the financial impact of the district’s recent merger.

“There are going to be seven less positions that are in this current budget going into next year,” Interim Superintendent Keith Lewis said. “It could increase if anybody resigns or retires.”

The reductions come as the district works through a proposed budget that is currently about $2.1 million higher than the prior year, according to figures presented at the April 7 school board meeting.

Lewis said part of the increase is tied to debt service associated with capital projects. The proposed budget includes just over $1.4 million in debt service, up from approximately $343,700 in the current year.

The proposed budget carries the maximum allowable tax levy increase of 4.48 percent under the state’s tax cap formula and includes changes tied to capital project financing and allowable carryover.

Board members questioned how staffing reductions align with overall spending increases, pointing to retirements and prior reductions.

“Between last year and this year… we had quite a few people retire last year,” said board member Roy Rogers Jr. “I believe there was 10 or 12… and we’re still adding $2.1 million to the budget this year… I don’t understand why we have such a huge increase.”

A member of the public said, “There’s only so many staff members you can cut from instruction before it completely deflates why we started a merger to begin with.” She continued, “Where does that show up? It shows up in our classrooms. Our kids deserve opportunities.”

The district is also working to close an estimated $1.2 million budget gap. Lewis said “everything is on the table,” but that the gap is expected to be significantly reduced through the use of reserves.

Another member of the public raised concerns about fluctuating costs, including fuel and utilities. “You have a contingency… with the cost of electric, gasoline, everything,” the speaker said. “If it doesn’t go down, we’re going to be in a shortfall.”

“We certainly build contingencies into the budget,” Lewis said. He said the district plans for a “medium scenario” when projecting costs.

The discussion also returned to the district’s merger, with board members noting that projected savings appear to have not yet materialized.

“We’re increasing $3 million from when we merged,” Rogers said. “Now we’re over $3 million higher… where there were supposed to be savings.”

Despite the staffing reductions, district officials said no academic programs are being eliminated and that new offerings are being added, including a STEM enrichment class at the elementary level.

At the high school level, administrators are using student interest to guide course offerings. Lewis said the district recently held an electives fair where students reviewed available programs and indicated their preferences, which will be used to determine which courses are offered in the upcoming school year.

Board members will continue reviewing the budget ahead of adoption, which must take place by April 21, followed by a public hearing on May 5 and a final vote on May 19.