OWEGO, NY — The Owego Apalachin Central School District (OACSD) Board of Education has officially adopted the proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year. This year’s proposal is defined by a significant accounting transition that ensures long-term stability while maintaining a 0% tax levy impact on community residents for the fourth time in six years.
Understanding the "Accounting Shift": Stagecoach Pipeline (formerly CNYOG)
Residents will notice a unique figure on this year’s Property Tax Report Card: an apparent 17.10% increase in the district’s tax levy. It is important to note that this is strictly an accounting change, not a tax increase.
For several years, the Stagecoach Pipeline (formerly CNYOG) paid the district through a special agreement called a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes), which was recorded as "Miscellaneous Revenue." That agreement ended in March.
The Change: By law, Stagecoach Pipeline has moved from "Miscellaneous Revenue" to the regular property tax rolls, just like any local homeowner.
The Impact: The $3,183,700 payment is now categorized under the "Tax Levy."
The Reality: Because this $3.18 million increase in the levy is fully offset by Stagecoach now paying regular property taxes, there is no new tax burden on the community.
"The expiration of a PILOT is an accounting shift, not a new spending decision," says Superintendent Dr. Corey A. Green. "The district receives the same value in revenue; it simply arrives via standard taxation rather than an agreement."
Budget Highlights: Fiscal Stability
Despite the reporting shift, the district continues its trend of conservative fiscal management. The average tax levy change over the past 10 years remains low at just 1.14%.
Total Revenue/Expenses: $63,567,555
State Aid: $36,005,687 (reflecting an anticipated 1% increase)
Tax Levy: $21,803,430.
Tax Impact: The board is staying below the available tax cap, resulting in essentially a 0% tax levy impact for taxpayers for the fourth time in six years.
On the Ballot: Board Election Candidates & Bus Proposition
Voters will be asked to consider Proposition 2: Bus Bond Proposition. This $1,085,000 measure authorizes the purchase of new school buses, (4) 70-passenger and (1) 64-passenger wheelchair-accessible, to maintain a safe transportation fleet.
Additionally, residents will elect three members to the Board of Education for three-year terms. The seats are currently held by Mr. Michael Aubel, Mr. Joseph Palladino, and Mrs. Jessica Silvanic. All of whom are running for reelection.
Important Dates & Voting Information
The district invites all residents to attend upcoming sessions to learn more about the budget and the PILOT transition.
April 30, 2026 | Budget Information Session (Apalachin Elementary School, 6:00 pm)
(Please note the district printed calendar has a date of May 6th for the AES info session, but that date was changed to April 30th)
May 11, 2026 | Official Budget Hearing (OACSD District Office-BOE Room, 6:00 pm)
May 19, 2026 | Annual Budget Vote & BOE Election
Voting Locations (Polls are open from Noon to 8:00 pm):
District No. 1: OACSD District Office-BOE Room, 5 Sheldon Guile Boulevard, Owego.
District No. 2: Apalachin Elementary School, 405 Pennsylvania Avenue, Apalachin.
For more information on the School Budget, please visit: https://www.oacsd.org/page/school-budget-information.
