New JCC school district referendum asks for $1,000 more per student

This November, residents of the Jackson County Central School District will once again vote on an operating referendum. The current referendum asks for $460 per student; the new one asks for an additional $1,000 per student for a period of 10 years.

According to information on the JCC school district web page, immediate steps to reduce spending while continuing to provide a high-quality education for students were taken after last November's operating referendum failed to pass. During the spring, the school board approved more than $550,000 in budget adjustments for the 2026-27 school year.

"These reductions were made only after careful review and thoughtful discussion, recognizing that every decision would have an impact on students, staff and families," the website states. "The district's financial challenges continue to be driven by several factors, including declining enrollment, increasing health insurance costs, new state-paid medical leave requirements, declining compensatory and special education revenues and additional state mandates that are not fully funded. Approximately 70 percent of a school district's budget is dedicated to employee salaries and benefits, making staffing reductions especially difficult but often necessary."

Staffing changes included reductions in several elementary teaching positions, a high school social studies position, a portion of the high school choir program, physical education, middle school staffing, library paraprofessional support and the school resource officer position. 

Expenditures were also reduced in multiple areas. Learn more at jccschools.com/election 2026.