Budget

Michael Brennan, School District Leader of Business and Operations
E-mail: mbrennan@ichabodcrane.org
Phone: 518-758-7575, Ext. 3009

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District residents approved the 2026-27 budget for the Ichabod Crane Central School District by a vote of 624 to 437 on May 19.

“The 2026-27 budget reflects our unwavering pursuit of academic excellence and our promise of fiscal responsibility. Even amidst a challenging economic landscape, we are ensuring that this September, every student and staff member returns to a district fully equipped with robust instructional programs, social-emotional curricula and the essential support services needed to succeed,” Superintendent Marie Digirolamo said. “This plan was truly a collaborative effort. I am incredibly proud of the Ichabod Crane community for helping us shape a budget that puts our students first.”

The budget for the 2026-27 school year sustains the depth and richness of the district’s instructional programs and essential support services and systems, as well as extracurriculars, career and technical education, and athletics and the arts, despite a challenging financial climate.

Next year, we’re continuing our investments in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics) with a dedicated K-5 STEAM teacher, specialized Primary and Middle School labs and advanced offerings in the High School STEAM Wing. The High School’s Discovering Computer Science course, which was created in partnership with Siena College, will offer students increased flexibility and new ways to meet second-semester requirements, starting in the 2026-27 school year.

Furthermore, our dedication to International Education remains a priority; the International Scholars Program is thriving, with international students studying at Ichabod Crane – and 82 Ichabod Crane students are set to explore Germany, Italy and Switzerland in April 2027.

The 2026-27 budget of $51,936,861 equates to a $792,862 (1.55%) increase from this year’s adopted budget – and an estimated tax levy increase of 2.71 percent, which is at the NYS Cap.

Residents also approved the proposition to purchase four buses (617 to 443 votes).

Additionally, three residents were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Education: Betsy Thorleifson, Kelly Firmbach and Christopher Scoville. (652, 794, 710, respectively).

“The Board of Education extends its deepest gratitude to the Rider community for your unwavering support. Your active engagement throughout the budget process is deeply valued and is essential to our success,” said Board of Education President Matthew Nelson. “It allows us to maintain an exceptional K-12 instructional program for our students and sustain a thriving, mission-driven workplace for our dedicated staff. Because of the entire Ichabod Crane community, next year, we will continue forward in our shared mission of preparing our students to become contributing members of society in an ever-changing world by valuing diversity, inspiring life-long learning and showcasing Rider Pride.”

2026-27 School Budget Vote and Board of Education Election

Ichabod Crane Central School District voters will head to the polls on May 19 to decide on a proposed $51,936,861 budget for the 2026-27 school year.

The proposed budget, unanimously approved by the Board of Education on April 21, safeguards the district’s premier instructional program, driven by the Instructional Program Vision (available in English and Spanish on our website) and Rider Goals 2027.

This year’s budget development began with a community-wide survey to identify key priorities and inform long-term planning. Throughout the process, the district consistently integrated feedback from staff, students, families and residents to ensure the spending plan reflects the values of our entire community.

Keeping our community informed is a top priority. The 2026-27 Budget Newsletter is available online now and district residents will also receive a paper copy in their mailbox in the weeks leading up to the vote.

Other resources:

2026-27 Budget Proposal: A Commitment to Our Students

The Highlights:

  • Proposed Budget: $51,936,861
  • Budget Increase: $792,862 (1.55%)
  • Estimated Tax Levy Increase: 2.71% (at the NYS Cap)

“This budget reflects a careful balance between financial responsibility and our unwavering commitment to providing a high-quality, well-rounded education for every student at Ichabod Crane,” Superintendent Marie Digirolamo said.

New York State school districts are again grappling with insufficient state aid, declining enrollments and surging health insurance costs. Michael Brennan, School District Leader of Business and Operations, emphasized while expenses continue to rise rapidly, revenues like NYS Foundation Aid have not kept pace.

“This structural imbalance is hitting us and our neighbors alike,” Brennan noted. “We’ve scrutinized every line item to ensure our programs and services are driven by student need, declining enrollment and other key data. The result is a budget that stays at the tax cap by streamlining operations, allowing us to protect core instructional programs and support services.”

To bridge the funding gap, the proposed budget reduces 14 total positions — four positions through retirements and vacancies — and ten through staff reductions, including six teaching and four teaching assistant positions. This equates to $1.4 million in savings from salaries and benefits. To protect programs and staff, the district leveraged vacancies and retirements and made adjustments based on a 100-student enrollment drop since 2024. We also deferred non-personnel costs (supplies, equipment, conferences) and instituted a superintendent wage freeze.

The budget proposal maintains the depth and richness of Ichabod Crane’s K-12 Instructional Programs and Support Systems, ensuring stability despite a challenging financial climate.

26-27 Proposed Budget Highlights

Academic Innovation & STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics)

  • Interdisciplinary approach enhanced by a dedicated K-5 STEAM teacher, specialized Primary & Middle School Labs and advanced offerings in the High School STEAM Wing
  • The Siena College-partnered Discovering Computer Science course, featuring expanded flexibility and new options next year to fulfill the second-semester requirement
  • Full implementation of evidence-based K-5 Mathematics curriculum
  • Standards-Based Report Cards for K-5

Pathways & Excellence

  • K-12 Program Reviews in Science, Math, Music and World Languages to ensure modern, high-quality curricula
  • Specialized literacy training for all faculty to support English Language Learners and improve outcomes for all students
  • Continued support for ICC’s NYS Seal of Biliteracy and Civic Readiness programs
  • International Scholars Program and opportunities for Ichabod Crane students to travel abroad — 82 student are signed up to go to Germany, Italy and Switzerland in April 2027

Student Opportunities & Wellness

  • Ichabod Cares (district’s internal safety net program), Adult Education and Wellness Committee
  • New clubs, intramurals and launch of Girls Varsity Flag Football Team
  • Middle and High School Advisory periods (student mentorship and peer connection)Ichabod Crane CSD Flag Football team player with the football team surrounded by challenging team.
  • Outdoor classrooms, MS & HS student IT help desks and enhanced cafeteria offerings

Board of Education Election

In addition to the budget vote, three district residents are running for seats on the Board of Education: Betsy Thorleifson, Kelly Firmbach and Christopher Scoville. Ms. Firmbach and Mr. Scoville are seeking re-election. All three seats carry full three-year terms beginning July 1, 2026. These vacancies result from the expiring terms of Max DiOrio, Kelly Firmbach and Christopher Scoville.

Click here to read the candidate statements. You can also view the Meet the Candidates Night recording from May 11 on the district’s live steam website.

For more information on the Board of Education Election, please visit the dedicated page on our website.

Important Dates and Voting Information

  • May 19: 26-27 Budget Vote and Board of Education Election, polls are open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the High School Gymnasium

Information about voting eligibility, registration, absentee and early mail ballots are located at the bottom of the webpage. 

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Presentations

Budget Documents 

2025-26 School Year Budget

District residents approved the 2025-26 budget for the Ichabod Crane Central School District by a vote of 572 to 272 on May 20, 2025. The 2025-26 budget of $51,143,999 equates to a $956,986 (1.91%) increase from this year’s adopted budget – and an estimated tax levy increase of 3.11 percent. Residents also approved the proposition to purchase four buses (556 to 287 votes). Additionally, three residents were re-elected to three-year terms on the Board of Education – Elizabeth Phillips, Matthew Nelson and Meghan Lafferty-Brown (621, 586, 611 votes, respectively).

Presentations

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Budget Documents:

Voting for the Ichabod Crane School Budget

If contacting the district with voter registration or absentee ballot questions, please reach out to Mindy Potts (District Clerk) at 518-758-7575, Ext. 3001 or via email mpotts@ichabodcrane.org

Voting Location
In-person voting takes place in the Ichabod Crane High School Gym annually on the third Tuesday in May from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM. The next budget vote and election will be on May 20, 2025.

Voter Eligibility
You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years old or older and a resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to the vote.

Voter Registration
You must be registered before you are permitted to vote. You are already registered if you have:

Individuals may register to vote with the District Clerk from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days at the office of the District Clerk in the Central Office of the School District. An individual must be registered at least five days preceding an election in order to vote in that election.

Absentee Ballots, Early Mail Voting & Military Absentee Ballots
Any residents who will be out of town or unable to vote in person because of illness or disability may request an absentee ballot using an absentee ballot application. Applications for absentee ballots are obtainable from the District Clerk at the Central Office (2910 U.S. 9 – Valatie, NY) between the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Download the Absentee Ballot Application here. 

The District Clerk must receive completed absentee ballot applications at least 7 days before the election (May 12, 2026) if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election (May 18, 2026) if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. The District Clerk must receive completed absentee ballots no later than 5:00 PM, prevailing time, on May 19, 2026.

In 2024, new laws allow district residents to vote early by mail before the election.

Any resident who wishes to vote early may request an early mail ballot using an early mail voter ballot application. Applications for absentee ballots are obtainable from the District Clerk at the Central Office (2910 U.S. 9 – Valatie, NY) between the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Download the Early Mail Ballot Application here.

The District Clerk must receive completed early mail ballot applications at least 7 days before the election (May 12, 2026) if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election (May 18, 2026) if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. The District Clerk must receive completed early mail ballots no later than 5:00 PM, prevailing time, on May 19, 2026.

To request a Military Absentee Ballot, please directly contact the District Clerk at MPotts@IchabodCrane.org or 518-758-7575, Ext. 3001.