Jamestown schools send $120.9 million budget to voters, no tax hike

Jamestown property owners would see no school tax levy increase under a $120,898,274 Jamestown Public Schools budget that goes to voters on May 19, keeping the district’s school taxes flat for a twelfth straight year.

The spending plan is about $5 million higher than the current 2025-26 budget, but district officials say the increase is being covered largely by higher revenues, especially state aid. In March, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Brittnay Spry said projected revenue included $96,744,727 in state aid, $16,441,567 in property tax revenue, and $7,711,980 in other revenue, unappropriated fund balance and reserves.

The budget’s biggest impact on daily school operations comes through staffing and programming. The plan includes hiring 15 new teachers, with earlier budget details pointing to added support for the district’s Innovation Center at the former Rogers School and six middle school teachers. District leaders have also tied one new assistant principal and one secretary to the Innovation Center, signaling that the district is still building out services even as it protects taxpayers from a levy increase.

Spry told the school board the budget had no numerical changes from the version presented in March, except for one capital outlay project: replacing exterior lighting at Love Elementary. She also said the district is still waiting on the state budget, but that it should not change what voters are being asked to approve next month.

The budget vote is only part of the ballot. Voters will also decide whether Jamestown Public Schools can sell district property at 240 Harrison Street to the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, a transaction that also needs approval at the polls. On the same ballot, the James Prendergast Library is seeking a budget increase, and three school board seats are open.

Those races bring added weight to a vote that will shape not just classroom staffing, but how the district balances growth, building upkeep and tax stability. Board President Paul Abbott said he is running for another term and plans to make it his final election campaign. Board member Christine Schnars is also seeking re-election, while John Panebianco’s term is expiring and he is not seeking re-election, leaving one seat open. For Jamestown families, the result on May 19 will help determine whether the district can keep expanding without asking homeowners to pay more in school taxes.