Budget and Election 2026-27
2026-27 Budget & Election Results
Proposition 1: Budget of $87,091,000
PASSED
Yes - 610; No - 165
Proposition 2: Authorize an additional $12.5M in expenditures to the existing Capital Improvement Project approved by voters December 2022 for the High School heating system.
PASSED
Yes - 632; No - 149
Proposition 3: Authorize an additional $17M in expenditures to the existing Capital Improvement Project approved by voters December 2022 for updates and renovations to the High School auditorium and south gymnasium/locker rooms. Proposition 3 approval is contingent upon approval of Proposition 2.
PASSED
Yes - 580; No - 202
Elected Board Members: Two (2) candidates receiving the largest number of votes to be elected for three-year terms. One (1) candidate with the 3rd largest number of votes to serve a term commencing upon election and expiring in June 2027 to fill an opening resulting from a previous member vacating their seat.
- Jessica McLaughlin (652 votes)
- Maryjane Metzen (603 votes)
- Daniel Weinstein (589 votes)
2026-27 Budget Public Hearing
Propositions 2 and 3
In addition to the budget, this year’s ballot will include two propositions to authorize additional expenditures in the existing Capital Improvement Project, approved by voters in December 2022, for work to be done at Amherst Central High School. Several economic and construction market factors have caused the entire capital project to incur budgetary increases. Due to inflation and escalation of construction costs beyond our control, the work we had planned for Phase 3 at the high school can no longer be done within the original budget. Since we are committed to completing the work we promised our community when they supported the project in December 2022, the Capital Committee was reconvened to set priorities.
Proposition 2: Replacing the high school’s antiquated heating system that was installed in 1950 emerged as the Capital Committee’s top priority. The heating system has reached a critical need where repairs cannot be made anymore. This high priority project impacts the health and safety of our staff and students on a daily basis. Proposition 2 will ask voters to authorize an additional $12.5 million in expenditures to the existing Capital Improvement Project to replace and upgrade the high school heating system from a steam to hot water system. This is tax neutral.
Proposition 3: The Capital Committee also identified updates to the high school auditorium and renovations to the high school south gymnasium/locker rooms as priority projects since these large group spaces are used on a consistent basis year-round by students, staff, families and community members. Proposition 3 will ask voters to authorize an additional $17 million in expenditures to the existing Capital Improvement Project to update the high school auditorium theatrical performance systems and renovate and configure the high school south gymnasium/locker rooms. This has a tax impact of 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Estimated cost on a home assessed at $300,000 is $57. Proposition 3 approval is contingent upon approval of Proposition 2.
Board of Education Election
Three at-large vacancies will be filled on the Board. The two candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall each be elected to a term to commence July 1, 2026 and expiring June 30, 2029. The candidate receiving the third largest number of votes shall be elected to a term to commence upon election and expiring June 30, 2027.
Budget & Election Results
Budget Documents
2026-27
Timeline
- Feb. 6, 2026 - BOE nominating petitions available at District Office
- April 1, 2026 - Early mail / absentee / military ballot applications available from the District Clerk
- April 20, 2026 - BOE nominating petitions deadline at 5 p.m.
- April 21, 2026 - BOE ballot positions selection
- April 23, 2026 - Completed military ballot applications due
- May 5, 2026 - BOE budget hearing at 7 p.m., District Conference Room
- May 5-13, 2026 - Budget newsletters delivered via USPS to residents
- May 12, 2026 - Completed early mail and absentee ballot applications due
- May 19, 2026 - BOE budget vote and election