"A budget that grew less than 1% needs a 37.4% tax increase."
"A budget that grew less than 1% needs a 37.4% tax increase.""For more than a decade, Prattsburgh school taxes barely moved. Now the district is asking residents to raise the local levy by roughly $1 million in a single year, eighteen times the entire eleven-year increase that came before it. The first attempt failed on May 19. The same budget is back on the ballot Tuesday, June 16, 2026, noon to 8 p.m., school cafetorium."
Source: Joe Elward - Prattsburgh Budget Explainer-https://pcsfacts.org/#starthere
The "Prattsburgh Budget Explainer" website provides a link, enabling readers to calculate the personal cost impact of the tax increase on property owners.
This is the projected tax increase I am facing (according to this source), based on my own Steuben County property records listing at "Full Market Value."
Based on this information (should this budget pass), I could expect another increase to my mortgage payment of about $40.00 per month, following a previous increase in School Tax and Property Insurance this past year (2025) of about $30.00 per month.
This is also occurring during increasing costs due to economic inflation, while a bridge replacement by Steuben County and major renovation of adjacent athletic fields continue on Route 74, (requiring a road closure and detour since March 30) - now with an extension of the bridge project and detour for another 4-6 weeks.
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| (Image Source: Town of Prattsburgh, NY) |
A New York State DEC report from September 2024 alluded to the extent of the current construction activity: (source listed below).
"The project may include improvements to the existing baseball field and surrounding infrastructure, walkways, dug outs, score board, infield, and accessibility access. Proposed work at the Ag. Center & Athletic Fields includes the addition of a concession stand, septic system improvements, well improvements, storage, toilet rooms, improvements to existing structures and fences, roof replacement and additional crosswalk safety features.
Work at the existing softball field includes improvements to existing dug outs, batting cage, and accessibility. The soccer field location will be adjusted and sod reestablished. The existing gravel parking lot will be paved. Exterior lighting may be added to athletic fields, new parking, and an additional street entrance/exit. A new baseball field facility may be created, including dugouts, batting cage, fencing, bleachers, and accessibility."
The District previously solicited bids for "Capital Project 2025" with a March 12, 2026 deadline. The project was estimated to cost from $5,000,000 - $15,000,000.
Another school tax levy increase is already being proposed for 2027-28.
A question-and-answer meeting was held by PCSD Superintendent Kory Bay on May 14, 2026 (see video linked below).
Update: June 17, 2026
A re-vote on the PCSD Budget was held on June 16, 2026, which resulted in the budget passing with 64% approval, a nearly 5% increase in approval votes from the previous May 19 vote.
The revised budget was approved 496 yes to 279 no (64%). Compared to the previous vote of 303 yes to 213 no (58.7%).
A difference of 193 more voting yes to 66 fewer voting no.
The implication is that the 66 fewer votes resulted either from a lack of voting or from voters changing from no to yes, with over 160 additional voting yes than on May 19th.
Other Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvbTqZkwb0U
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