Budget Information

Budget Vote

On May 18, 2021, Chatham Central School District voters approved the 2021-22 school budget, approved a proposition to allow a student representative to serve on the Board of Education as a non-voting member, and elected Christopher Spencer and Beth Hover to the Board of Education.

May 18, 2021 Voting Results

Proposition #1 2021-22 School Budget: PASSED 461 yes – 159 No

Proposition #2 Student Representative on the Board of Education: PASSED 560 yes – 58 No

Board of Education Candidates:
Christopher Spencer: 383 – three-year term running July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2024
Beth Hover: 373 – one-year term running May 19, 2021 – June 30, 2022 
Denise Barry: 335

2021-2022 School Budget

The budget totals $33,050,383 and carries a projected tax levy increase of 1.76 percent, which is under the limit set by New York State’s property tax cap. The budget is up a total of $693,528, a 2.14 percent increase from the 2020-21 budget. Read Budget Overview…

Budget Documents

Budget Presentations


Property Tax Cap Information

Contrary to popular belief, the NYS property tax cap does not cap tax increases at 2%. Instead, schools must use a state formula each year to determine how much they can increase their tax levies by without having to seek a higher percentage of voter approval for the budget. This threshold may be different each year and must be determined by the District and submitted to the state by March 1st.

For 2021, Chatham’s projected tax levy increase threshold is 1.81%.

If the year-to-year increase of the District’s tax levy (portion of the school budget funded by property tax) is at or below the number determined by the cap, a simple majority (50% + 1) of voter approval is needed to pass the budget. If the budget proposal carries a tax levy increase above the cap, a super majority (60%) of voter approval is needed for the budget to pass. More information on the NYS Property Tax Cap is available on the NY State Education Department Website.


Proposition II: Student Representative on the Board of Education

Proposition II on the ballot would allow a Chatham High School student to serve as a non-voting member on Chatham Central School District’s Board of Education. A student may currently serve on the Board but, pursuant to education law, this proposition must be put before voters every two years.


Board of Education Election

Voting on Chatham Central School District’s Board of Education election took place as part of the annual school budget vote on May 18, 2021. More information is available on our 2021 Board of Education Election page.


Voter Qualifications:

To be eligible to vote you must be:
• A citizen of the United States 18 years of age or older
• A resident of the Chatham Central School District for a period of 30 days or more directly preceding the date of the vote
• Registered to vote with either the School District or the Columbia County Board of Elections


Current School Year Budget

The 2020-21 budget totals $32,356,855 and carried a projected tax levy increase of 1.67 percent, which was under the limit set by New York State’s property tax cap of 1.72 percent. Spending is up a total of $773,465, a 2.45 percent increase from the 2019-20 budget, due largely to inflation, contractual obligations, and rising health insurance and retirement costs. The District used reserves and fund balance to reduce the impact of revenue shortfalls  and to help hold the tax levy increase under the tax cap. More information is available on our 2020-21 School Budget Information page.


Budget Information from Previous Years

2019-2020 Budget Information
2018-2019 Budget Information
2017-2018 Budget Information
2016-2017 Budget Information
2015-2016 Budget Information
2014-2015 Budget Information
2013-2014 Budget Information
2012-2013 Budget Information
2011-2012 Budget Information
2010-2011 Budget Information
2009-2010 Budget Information


Questions or comments about the budget?

Email them to budget@chatham.k12.ny.us