By Chris English
GILBOA-CONESVILLE — School board members in Gilboa-Conesville got an early look at what some of the 2026-27 budget might look like at the Thursday, Jan. 15 meeting.
Treasurer Marianne Romito gave a presentation and handed out three pages of information to board members, monthly cash balances report, a history of property tax caps and tax levies in the school district from 2019-20 through 2025-26, and 2026-27 budget assumptions.
The monthly cash balances report listed "total back accounts" of $14.75 million as of Nov. 30, 2025 and $13.91 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. Included in the budget assumptions were that the current non-teaching contract ends June 30, 2026, and also some medical and dental insurance numbers.
"It's a projection, not set in stone," Romito told board members. "I wanted to give you an idea of where we're at. As I get more information, I will share it with you."
Superintendent Bonnie Johnson reiterated that thought in an email to this newspaper.
"These are all for budget planning purposes," she wrote. "Nothing is set in stone. Information on the 2026-2027 budget will be shared next month."
In another finance-related matter from the Jan. 15 meeting, the school board approved a corrective action plan on a report the school district had received that its general fund unrestricted fund balance (surplus) as of June 30, 2025 exceeded 4 percent of the subsequent year's budget, and was more than allowed by the state's real property tax law.
The report's recommendation was that "Management take the excess fund balance into consideration when preparing next year's budget."
The school district's response was that "School District Superintendent Bonnie Johnson and District Treasurer Marianne Romito are actively working with the school board to address excess fund balance and are working on a reserve policy that was completed and fund balance policy for effective management of its excess funds.
"Balancing the need for fiscal prudence with a responsible view of fund balance continues to be a goal as we continue to provide school budgets that meet the needs of the GCCSD students and community."
In her report at the Jan. 15 meeting, Johnson said Senior Night for basketball players and cheerleaders will be Feb. 4. Spring sports sign-ups will be posted this week and that transition into another dental insurance plan is going well.
A third and final lockdown drill was held Jan. 15, Johnson continued, and windows around the school were recently tinted for safety purposes.
Mary Hinkley, 7-12 Principal and Director of Special Education, reported that the school held its Winter Festival just before the Holiday Break. The festival included Karaoke and other fun events. A B.O.C.E.S road show recently visited Gilboa-Conesville to familiarize students with programs available at the local B.O.C.E.S that serves GC and several other school districts, Hinkley said.
Elementary Principal Candice Gockel reported there's been a lot of professional development at the school recently, including First Aid and CPR training for staff, and also training on how to integrate innovative digital tools into classrooms.
The school board approved attendance at the upcoming New York State Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Conference by advisor Michelle Fleischman, a chaperone and several students.
The conference is March 18-20 at the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center in Callicoon, N.Y. The cost per student and adult is approximately $324-345 including room, meals and registration.
In other actions from the Jan. 15 meeting, the school board approved Memorandums of Agreement on Transportation and Transportation Driver Training. The board did first reads on School Bus Safety, Idling School Buses on School Grounds, Qualification of Bus Drivers and Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers policies.
In addition, the board did second reads and approvals for policies of Cyber Security Incident Response and Information Security Breach.
In personnel actions at the end of the meeting, the board approved the following: Luann Brainerd as chaperone and shot clock keeper for the 2025-26 basketball season; Darcy Jaeger-Brand and Andrew Dumas as modified softball coaches for 2026; Daniel McGlynn as varsity softball coach for 2026; Michael Meli as modified baseball coach for 2026.
Also: Clyde Cole as Junior Varsity baseball coach for 2026; Michael Faulkner as varsity baseball coach for 2026; Hannah Johnson as substitute UPK-12 licensed teacher Assistant, aide and teacher for 2025-26; Brittany McAdams as substitute CROP site coordinator for 2025-26; and Allison Case as elementary basketball coach for 2025-26.
The board also voted to accept, with regret, the resignation for the purpose of retirement of 21-year elementary school counselor Dawn Bialkowski effective June 30, 2026.
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