LIVINGSTON MANOR — Residents of the Rockland Central School District will have an opportunity to weigh in on the district’s proposed 2026-27 budget during a public hearing scheduled for May 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Rockland Middle/High School in Livingston Manor, ahead of a district-wide vote on May 19.

The hearing will focus on a $33,974,076 spending plan, approved by the Board of Education on April 21, which represents a 5.72 percent increase over the current year. The proposal includes a 4.48 percent tax levy increase, within the state-mandated cap.

The budget was developed over several weeks as district officials worked to close a $1.6 million gap identified in March. That gap was eliminated through a combination of targeted reductions and the use of $905,123 in fund balance and reserves, about 14 percent less than the amount used in the current year.

Kathryn Blackman, interim school business manager for the district, said in a statement that reserve use is evaluated annually based on what can be used “responsibly,” with the district slightly reducing its reliance on reserves this year to support long-term financial stability.

Blackman said the district also reduced its transfer to the school lunch fund through efficiencies in staffing and food purchasing. The change will not affect meal prices or service levels, she said, noting that all students will continue to receive free meals through the Community Eligibility Program.

To close the remaining gap, the district made reductions in several areas. Equipment spending was reduced by $100,000, and security spending by $50,000. Summer school enrollment will be limited by 20 percent for each session, while afterschool programming will be adjusted through changes to student-to-staff ratios and program parameters.

Superintendent Keith Lewis said in a statement that staffing changes include the elimination of several positions across the district. Two elementary teaching positions were reduced from an initial three by retirement, along with one physical education teacher and one secondary social studies teacher. A teacher aide position and a food service position were also left unfilled following resignations or retirements.

Lewis said the changes are expected to result in slightly larger class sizes, though classes were previously in the mid-to-high teens. He added that a new STEM teacher will be added at the elementary level and that administrators are reviewing elective offerings at the secondary level.

Despite the reductions, overall spending continues to rise, driven in part by increased debt service tied to a roughly $21 million capital project and higher employee benefit costs, particularly health insurance.

Most budget categories remain above current-year levels, though administration, instruction and community service show slight decreases. Lewis said the reduction in instruction reflects staffing changes as well as contractual increases and expanded programming in areas such as special education and career and technical education.

The May 5 hearing will give residents a chance to ask questions and comment on the proposal before it goes to a public vote.

The budget vote is scheduled for May 19, with polls open from Noon to 8 p.m. at the Rockland Middle/High School gymnasium in Livingston Manor and the Rockland Elementary School gymnasium in Roscoe.