District overview
How Ossining's schools are funded, who decides, and what is being built
Ossining's 2026-27 budget is $186.3 million. About 59% comes from property taxes ($110.6 million). State aid is the next biggest source, and Foundation Aid is about $43.4 million. The state limits how fast the tax levy can grow each year. This year the limit works out to 2.43%, and the district levied to that limit. District leaders say state aid is flat because the state sees Ossining as wealthier and enrollment has dipped.
The 2026-27 tax levy is $110,564,402, up 2.43%. The district estimates the median home (assessed at $649,000) pays about $185 more per year.
State aid is projected up about 1% (about $400,000), the lowest in years. The district says higher property values, fewer students and a lower poverty count make it look wealthier to the state.
Health insurance rises $2.1 million. The budget uses reserves and fund balance, including $4.8 million of appropriated fund balance, to cover part of the gap.
A seven-member Board of Education chosen in the annual May vote sets the budget and policies. Terms are three years. Voters approve the budget each May; the next vote is May 18, 2027.
District leaders argue that levying at the 2.43% cap protects programs, because the cap builds on itself each year. A lower levy would be a choice residents could make, but it would also lower future budgets. The slides are the district's own view.
Up 4.3% from $178,662,726 in 2025-26 (budget hearing slides).
Levy of $110,564,402, at the state tax cap.
Down from a 2018 peak of 4,833. The demographer projects 4,383 to 4,588 through 2035.
Context only: $186,337,089 divided by 4,585 students. The budget also pays for buses, benefits, debt, building upkeep and transfers, so this is not classroom spending per student.
District describes it as flat; state aid overall about $58.5 million.
Up from $4,014,032 in 2025-26, as new bond debt begins.
Approved by voters Sept. 24, 2024 (1,126 yes, 338 no per district page).
Up from 10.8% in 2014-15.
Voters approved the bond in September 2024. Projects: locker rooms, a two-story addition and a career and technical education building at Ossining High School (Phase 1); a music wing and student commons (Phase 2); renovating the former church as a career and technical education space (Phase 3); a new 7-8 building at the AMD campus (Phase 4); and Claremont classrooms, cafeteria and music rooms (Phase 5). District materials say AMD would then serve grades 5-6 and Roosevelt would become district offices and a community schools center.
Voter-approved bond; debt service begins to show in the 2026-27 budget ($9.96 million debt service transfer)
Total about $210 million per district budget slides.
Air conditioning for the middle school and a new entrance road from Stormytown Road with extra parking. The district describes the driveway as for buses, staff, parents and emergency vehicles on a set schedule, not for neighborhood traffic.
Budget appropriations and capital reserves, per the August 26, 2026 facilities slides
Nine new classrooms, an elevator, bathrooms and support spaces, plus fire alarm work.
Budget appropriations and capital reserves (2023 capital project)
The board adopted Policy 5695 on July 30, 2025 to follow the state ban on phones and internet devices all day. A May 2026 student survey (831 responses) showed about 77% negative; parents in a separate survey mostly supported the ban.
No separate funding; locker storage and office communication
Ossining UFSD
The district calendar lists the Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Elections for Tuesday, May 18, 2027, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the Ossining High School small gym. Two trustee seats have terms ending June 30, 2027 (three-year terms). Candidates and the petition deadline have not been published.
Official source · verified Oct 21, 2026
Ossining UFSD
Voters decide the 2027-28 school budget on Tuesday, May 18, 2027. The statutory budget hearing is listed for Wednesday, May 5, 2027 and a Saturday budget workshop for March 13, 2027. Budget amount not yet proposed.
Official source · verified Oct 21, 2026
Ossining UFSD · $186,337,089
Voters passed the $186,337,089 2026-27 school budget on May 19, 2026 (895 yes, 284 no per the district budget page). The same ballot had a library budget and three board seats.
Official source · verified Oct 21, 2026
Ossining UFSD · $30,000,000
Voters at a special district meeting on Sept. 16, 2025 approved a library improvement bond of up to $30,000,000, paid by school district property taxes. The board adopted the bond resolution Oct. 22, 2025.
Official source · verified Oct 21, 2026
Ossining UFSD · $210,000,000
Voters approved the district's 2024 facilities bond on Sept. 24, 2024 (1,126 yes, 338 no per the district facilities page). It funds work at Ossining High School, a new 7-8 building at AMD and Claremont additions, among other projects.
Official source · verified Oct 21, 2026
Figures marked verified come from the district's own budget hearing slides, board minutes and board presentations, linked on each metric. Calculations and comparisons are marked as context. Coverage runs from October 2025 through October 21, 2026.
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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