WCS Juggles Rising Costs

Waterville Board of Education members had their first look at the 2026-27 budget at last week’s meeting.

Superintendent Zach Abbe and School Business Executive Cynthia Amarosa pointed out that over the last 10 years, the District’s budget has gone from $18 million to $23 million this year.

Abbe reviewed the Administrative budget for next year, explaining that some savings will be seen with changes OHM BOCES services.

In addition, those changes will qualify for state aid starting in 2027-28. These changes include having BOCES handle labor relations rather than a private firm, a savings of $20,000.

Waterville’s tax cap for next year allows for a 3.09 percent increase in the property tax levy.

That would add $191,000 to revenues.

While that is higher than the District’s 10-year average, Abbe said, it looks necessary to use the full cap because of increases in health insurance of around 10 percent, or $415,000.

Board members will decide on the tax cap to use at their next meeting Feb. 24. Abbe said he and Amarosa are reviewing the budget line by line to be sure the District is spending wisely.

Board President Steve Stanton said the District needs to make clear why the full cap is needed.

The one time WCS needed to override the cap by getting 60 percent of the vote in favor it was supported.

Director of Special Programs Katie Hansen said WCS is seeing an increase in children with autism, with many of them students who are new to the District. She said there are also new diagnosis being seeing, with anxiety and ADHD a big part of that.

“Services are difficult to find at times,’’ she said, adding that the need for speech therapy has also increased.

Placements are up from last year. In 2014-15 105 students were in placements and this year 140 are.

Hansen said the increase is not unique to Waterville. Many of those who transferred in are students with high needs, she said.

“Without placements available we have to do what we can in the building,’’ she said.

Stanton said this is another opportunity for districts to share resources and form partnerships.

OHM BOCES is compiling information on programs offered in its 12 ...