Baldwin Union Free School District voters approved a nearly $180 million budget for the 2026-27 school year Tuesday, while also passing the district’s library budget and two reserve-funded propositions.
The school budget passed by a vote of 694 to 261, according to results released by the district. The spending plan represents a $7.1 million, or 4.12 percent, increase over the current year’s budget.
The approved budget carries a 3.21 percent tax levy increase, equal to the district’s allowable limit under the state’s tax cap formula. The levy will total about $112.9 million, an increase of roughly $3.5 million from the current year.
Voters also approved the Baldwin Public Library budget, 730 to 223. All four propositions on the ballot passed, including the school district budget, the library budget, the use of capital reserve funds and the use of technology reserve funds.
District officials said more than 75 percent of the school budget goes toward programs, including academics, athletics, arts and technology. The spending plan maintains and expands offerings such as new academic courses, elementary enrichment, middle school athletics, experiential learning, instructional technology, universal prekindergarten, college-credit courses, arts programming, wellness initiatives and family engagement.
The reserve-funded propositions will not affect the tax levy. Voters authorized the district to use up to $8.3 million from its Capital Reserve Fund for upgrades to elementary school kitchens and cafeterias, and up to $475,000 from its Technology Reserve Fund for Chromebooks, accessories, charging equipment and updated interactive classroom boards.
Board President Pamela Green and Trustee Katrina Smith were both re-elected in an uncontested race. Because two seats were on the ballot, the candidate with the most votes was elected to a full three-year term, running from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029. The second-highest vote-getter was elected to fill the balance of an unexpired term, running from May 19, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
