LIBERTY, N.Y. – The Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a $72 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year. The proposed budget includes no tax levy increase.
The latest budget increases spending by 5.14 percent – about $3.5 million – from 2025 to 2026 to support increased healthcare, transportation, and contractual obligation costs, according to the district. Liberty Central School District (Liberty CSD) Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan says it also includes program enhancements.
“We’re looking to expand some advanced placement courses going into next year, shifting to more of our Syracuse University-based program,” said Sullivan. “We wanna sustain our programming while being fiscally responsible and ensuring that we’re mindful of our taxpayers.”
The budget does not include any proposed staffing cuts, he says.
Liberty CSD is the second largest school district in Sullivan County, with 1,749 students enrolled in Pre-K through Grade 12 in 2025, according to New York State Education Department data. It serves a majority Hispanic and economically disadvantaged student population.
“We want to ensure that we’re providing the students with the special education services, the rigorous instruction, and also language acquisition needs,” said Sullivan.
In New York, some school districts have faced an especially challenging budget year as healthcare and program costs climb. “Overall statewide, there’s been [an] increase in insurance costs,” said Sullivan.
School districts are also still waiting for a state budget after New York Governor Kathy Hochul missed the April 1 budget deadline, forcing many school districts to rely on projections since they still don’t know exactly how much their state aid funding will be.
READ: NY Schools Vote on District Budgets by May 19: What You Need to Know
Sullivan said that the district has seen a “substantial increase” in foundation and state aid after years of not receiving full funding.
The district will host a budget hearing on May 5, a budget dinner and concert on May 14, and a budget talk at New Munson Diner on May 15.
Residents will vote on the school budget and school board on May 19 between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Liberty High School Media Center. More information is available on the district website.
Image: Bird’s eye view of the Liberty Central School District (Photo Credit: Liberty Central School District)