District overview
How Arlington Central pays for its schools, who decides, and what big projects are underway.
Arlington is an ordinary New York school district funded by two main streams: property taxes and state aid. In the February 2026 revenue plan, the tax levy was about 60% of revenue and state aid about 34%. The district's yearly budget and board election are decided by voters on the third Tuesday of May. The state tax cap limits how fast the levy can grow, so when costs rise faster than state aid the district has to cut spending or use savings.
The 2026-27 budget of $278,650,000 (up 3.96%) passed on May 19, 2026, along with a $3.4 million bus purchase and a new $20 million, 20-year building reserve fund. The next vote is scheduled for May 18, 2027.
Early in the budget process the district faced a gap of about $12 million. Health insurance was expected to rise 16.4%. To balance the budget the district raised the tax levy 3.51%, the most the state cap allows, eliminated 19 positions, used reserve funds and cut spending on equipment and supplies.
The Board of Education has nine members elected to three-year terms. It sets policy, adopts the budget, approves hires and picks the superintendent, Dr. Philip Benante, who runs daily operations. The board normally meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., rotating among schools, and has audit, policy, advocacy and capital improvement committees.
About $7.2 million of fund balance was applied to the 2026-27 budget, and the district keeps separate reserves for buildings. A new $20 million building reserve can only be spent with a later public vote.
The district reports that it has kept its tax levy at or below the state cap for 15 years in a row. This page does not show whether the cuts it chose for 2026-27 will change what students experience.
Up 3.96% from 2025-26's $268,025,000.
The maximum the state tax cap allows this year.
Up from $160,413,543 in 2025-26.
Up 2.70% from $91,719,473; the Governor's proposal had suggested only about 1%.
Down from 9,182 in 2012-13. Teaching staff: about 742 full-time equivalents, up from 703.
The largest single cost pressure named in the budget workshop.
Approved May 21, 2024 to build and renovate across the district.
Calculated: $278,650,000 divided by 7,604 students. It includes transportation, benefits, buildings and debt, and special education costs, so it is not what is spent in a classroom.
A $179.6 million plan in three phases: a new wing and renovation at LaGrange Middle School, an addition at West Road, then work at the remaining schools. On August 11, 2026 the board rejected all bids for the first LaGrange phase because the lowest bidder withdrew and few firms bid on key trades. The project team plans to rebid and bring an award to the board in late October or early November.
2024 voter-approved bond, with state building aid
Phase 3 scope will be set after phase 1 and 2 bids are in.
The West Road addition would let the district close Traver Road School and run one K-5 school with a new gym, media center and playground. The district is asking the state for special legislation to raise the project's cost allowance so more state aid returns to local taxpayers. In May 2026 the superintendent said that law would likely wait until next year, and state education department approval was still pending.
2024 voter-approved bond and state building aid
Septic and water upgrades must be finished before building starts.
The district calendar lists budget adoption on April 13, 2027, the public budget hearing on May 11 and the budget vote and board election on May 18, 2027. Three board seats with terms ending June 30, 2027 are up.
Property tax levy and state aid, decided by voters
The state-approved 2026-2029 technology plan calls for a districtwide AI framework (acceptable use, academic integrity, data privacy, AI lessons and family outreach). Administrators told the policy committee in September they hoped to have a comprehensive model by winter. The 2026-27 Code of Conduct already covers AI cheating and AI-made fake images.
Technology budget ($3.38 million net in 2026-27 after BOCES aid)
Arlington Central School District
Annual board election held with the school budget vote on the third Tuesday of May. Seats with terms ending June 30, 2027 are up.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Arlington Central School District
Annual budget vote; the district calendar lists the budget vote on May 18, 2027, with a public hearing on May 11 and budget adoption on April 13.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Arlington Central School District
Voters re-elected all three incumbents: Linda Gaines, Jeff Haight and Eileen Snook, with new terms ending June 30, 2029.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Arlington Central School District · $278,650,000
Voters approved the $278,650,000 budget (3.96% increase) with a 3.51% tax levy increase.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Arlington Central School District · $3,400,000
Voters approved $3.4 million to buy replacement buses and vehicles, bonded over five years; about 65% of bus costs qualify for state transportation aid.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Arlington Central School District · $20,000,000
Voters approved a new reserve fund that can hold up to $20 million over 20 years for building repairs and projects, with no tax impact at creation. Spending from it needs a future voter approval.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Arlington Central School District · $179,600,000
Voters approved the bond for new classrooms, libraries, roofs, security vestibules and renovations at every school, in three phases.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Figures marked verified come from the district's own budget newsletter, budget presentations and capital project page. Per-student spending is a calculation and is marked context. Board meeting details come from auto-generated captions of the district's recorded meetings, because the board's agenda and minutes site (BoardDocs) could not be copied.
We read every agenda, packet, recording, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from.
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