What Homer Central School District does

Homer Central School District is a public K-12 school district chartered under New York State Education Law, headquartered at 80 South West Road in Homer, New York. The district serves approximately 1,700-2,000 students across four schools — Homer Elementary School (Pre-K-5), Homer Intermediate School (grades 5-6), Junior High School (grades 7-8), and Homer Central High School (grades 9-12) — employing 266 staff. Instructional programs include a lottery-based full-day Pre-K program, comprehensive K-12 academics, special education services for ages 3-21, a guidance and college/career counseling department, and an athletics program spanning 16+ sports across three seasons, supported by Family Counseling Services for student mental health.

The district's technology stack centers on ParentSquare as the unified home-school communication platform (with Google and Microsoft 365 SSO, two-way translation, and automatic SIS sync), SchoolTool as the Student Information System with Parent Portal, and a CIPA-compliant network security architecture including firewall, antivirus, filtering, and Chromebook content controls. Athletics operations use ArbiterSports for registration, Hudl for streaming, and Schedule Galaxy for scheduling. CTE programming is delivered through the OCM BOCES partnership at the Cortlandville campus, including Auto Technology, Culinary Arts, Health Occupations, Welding, and the Seven Valleys New Tech Academy. The district also runs a five-year strategic plan initiated in 2019 covering Student Engagement, Social-Emotional Health, and Community Engagement committees.

Homer CSD is funded primarily through local property taxes and New York State Foundation Aid, supplemented by federal ESSER/COVID relief funds and approved voter propositions. The district is currently navigating a significant fiscal crisis: a structural deficit exceeding $5M is projected for 2026-2027, the Unassigned Fund Balance has collapsed from 4% ($1.77M) in 2020 to 0.28% ($150,000), and over $2.3M in debt service reserves have been deployed. Five 0% tax levy increases over the past decade have left revenue trailing mandatory cost growth in health insurance, utilities, and staffing. The 2026-2027 budget passed with 78% voter approval, but the district has announced end-of-year staffing reductions and cancellation of the traditional Pre-K-6 Summer Learning Program as cost-balancing measures.

Name

Homer Central School District

Legal name

Homer Central School District

Website

https://homercentral.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Homer Central School District is a public K-12 district in Homer, New York, serving approximately 1,700-2,000 Pre-K-12 students across four schools with 266 staff, currently navigating a $5M+ structural fiscal deficit.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

District Administration & Central Office (EDAJAAAA)

Keywords

• K-12 public education
• Special education services
• School athletics programs
• Student information systems
• Extracurricular activities

Headquarters

HQ city

Homer

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: Local property taxes constitute a primary revenue source for the school district. The district has historically maintained low tax levy increases, with 0% increases approved five times in the last decade, contributing to current fiscal challenges.
2. State Foundation Aid: State education funding allocated through Foundation Aid formula. Projected to increase by only 1% ($200,000) for 2026-2027 fiscal year.
3. Federal COVID Relief Funding (ESSER): Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds including ESSER II, ARP ESSER, and GEER II funding to address COVID-19 impact on education including summer learning programs, after school programs, and addressing lost instructional time.
4. Voter-Approved Budget Proposition: Annual district budget vote where residents approve the proposed budget. The 2026-2027 budget proposition passed by margin of 983-277. Additional propositions for bus purchase/lease (951-309) and Phillips Free Library funding (999-263) also approved.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Homer Central School District is a public K-12 school district serving approximately 1,700-2,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade across four schools in Homer, New York. The district provides core academic instruction, special education services, athletics, over 30 extracurricular clubs, food services, health services, and guidance/counseling, all funded through voter-approved property taxes, state Foundation Aid, and federal grants.

Product overview

Homer Central School District operates a traditional K–12 public school system serving Homer, NY. The district's portfolio includes four schools (Homer Elementary, Homer Intermediate, Junior High, and Homer Central High) offering a Pre-K through 12th grade academic program. Supporting services include a Pre-Kindergarten program (lottery-based), Special Education (IEP-driven, age 3–21), athletics (fall/winter/spring), over 30 clubs and activities, Extended School Year (ESY) summer programming for special education students, and guidance/counseling with college/career planning. The district uses ParentSquare as its unified communications platform and SchoolTool for student information management. Athletics operations use ArbiterSports (registration) and Hudl (streaming). Strategic planning focuses on student engagement, social-emotional health, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-12 Academic Programs Core educational curriculum across four schools: Homer Elementary School (Pre-K-2), Homer Intermediate School (grades 3-5), Junior High School (grades 6-8), and Homer Central High School (grades 9-12). Includes state-required testing in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and technology education. For students in Pre-K through Grade 12.
• Pre-Kindergarten Program Full-day instructional program for 4-year-olds operating under the regular school calendar (8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.). Uses an active participatory learning model promoting language, motor skills, and social skills. Adheres to state high-quality guidelines. Selection is lottery-based when applications exceed available seats. For pre-K age children and their families.
• Athletics Program Athletics program with fall sports (soccer, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, tennis, volleyball, cheerleading), winter sports (basketball, indoor track, ice hockey, wrestling, bowling, cheerleading), and spring sports (track, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis). Managed by Athletics Director Todd Lisi. Uses ArbiterSports for registration and Hudl for game streaming. For enrolled students at modified, junior varsity, and varsity levels.
• Clubs and Activities Extracurricular clubs including Blue Notes jazz choir, Drama Club, Environmental Science, DECA, FFA, Jazz Band, Link Crew, Marching Band, Musical Theater, National Honor Society, Odyssey Yearbook, Olympian newspaper, Science NHS, Science Olympiad, Student Government, Youth in Government, French NHS, and others. Over 30 clubs listed. For enrolled students interested in extracurricular engagement.
• Special Education Services Special education support for students with IEPs from age 3 through high school commencement or age 21. Services include CSE/CPSE evaluations, LRE-based support, and collaboration with OCM BOCES for intensive programs. Director: Christopher Moore. For students with disabilities from age 3 through age 21.
• Extended School Year (ESY) Program Mandated summer program for students with disabilities who qualify under IEPs. Runs July 6 through August 14. This is a continuation of the pre-existing ESY program, distinct from the cancelled traditional Summer Learning Program. For special education students who qualify under IEPs.
• Guidance and Counseling Services Comprehensive guidance services covering academic counseling, college planning, career planning, college visits/fairs, TC3 College Now, scholarships, financial aid, SAT/PSAT/ACT/AP exam coordination, military information, wellness resources, and job opportunities. Includes mental health counseling referrals via Family Counseling Services (5 days/week on-site). For enrolled students and families.
• Food Services School meal and nutrition services. Coordinates Summer EBT benefits for eligible families and partners with Catholic Charities for summer lunch programs throughout Cortland County. For enrolled students and eligible families.
• Health Services School health services including nursing staff, accident insurance coordination, physical examinations (state-required at grades Pre-K/K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), immunization tracking, emergency procedures, and assistive hearing devices available at the high school auditorium and gym. For enrolled students and staff.
• Strategic Planning Program Five-year comprehensive strategic plan initiated in 2019. Includes three standing committees: Student Engagement, Social-Emotional Health, and Community Engagement. Programs include Second Step SEL curriculum at the elementary level and collaboration with CiTi PR. For district community stakeholders.
• OCM BOCES CTE Programs Career and Technical Education programs at OCM BOCES Cortlandville Campus for juniors and seniors. Includes Auto Collision, Auto Technology, Computer Technology, Construction, Cosmetology, Culinary, Early Childhood Education, Graphic Communications, Health Occupations, Physical Therapy Professions, Welding, and New Vision programs. Also includes Seven Valleys New Tech Academy for project-based learning. For high school juniors and seniors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2026-2027 Budget passed by margin of 983-277; Bus Purchase/Lease passed 951-309; Phillips Free Library Funding passed 999-263
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Phillips Free LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Phillips Free Library to host lunchtime book club for 5th graders at Homer Intermediate School. Library director Priscilla Berggren-Thomas secured grants to provide books and program. Students receive their own copy of a book and meet monthly in computer lab to discuss stories, promoting reading engagement.
• OCM BOCEScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES partnership providing Career and Technical Education programs at Cortlandville Campus for high school juniors and seniors, including Auto Technology, Health Occupations, Culinary Arts, and specialized New Vision programs. Also provides Seven Valleys New Tech Academy for project-based learning.
• CiTi (Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with CiTi BOCES for public relations services and instruction technology support. The partnership has been recognized as continuing to thrive, providing professional development and technology integration support to district staff.
• ParentSquarecoreTechnology or IntegrationUnified communication platform used as primary district communication tool. Automatically syncs with district's Student Information System to generate parent accounts with email and phone number integration. Provides mass notifications, emergency alerts, attendance notifications, and two-way communication with translation capabilities.
• Family Counseling ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health counseling services available 5 days per week in Junior High building. Private therapist from Family Counseling Services provides individual counseling services with families responsible for payment and insurance. Referral forms available through counseling office.
• Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of annual Environmental Science competition in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Students compete in soil composition, pH level determination, wildlife and tree identification, and water analysis events.
• Tompkins Cortland Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership hosting Girls Day Out 2026 event for girls ages 10-14 in collaboration with TST Boces PTECH Academy. Event includes interactive career fair, STEAM activities, dance fitness, swimming, and ukulele lessons.
• SUNY CortlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree virtual summer elementary literacy tutoring program for grades 1-5 nationwide, offered by SUNY Cortland as a community educational resource.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• OCM BOCES: Regional Board of Cooperative Educational Services providing shared CTE, special education, and instructional technology services to multiple component districts including Homer. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler, not a direct competitor.
• New York State Education Department (NYSED): State education agency that governs Foundation Aid funding, regulatory compliance (NYS Ed Law 2-d), and accountability standards for Homer CSD. Not a peer in the competitive sense, but a defining counterpart institution that shapes Homer's funding and operating constraints.

Direct peers

• Moravia Central School District: Neighboring rural central school district in Cayuga County, NY. Comparable in size, geographic isolation, and reliance on BOCES partnerships and state aid formulas—making it a meaningful operational comparator.
• McGraw Central School District: Small neighboring rural central school district in Cortland County, NY with a similar PreK-12 structure. Directly comparable in enrollment size, rural fiscal base, and reliance on property taxes and state aid.
• Tully Central School District: Small central school district in Onondaga County, NY serving a similar rural-to-suburban student population. Comparable in scale, multi-school structure, and reliance on BOCES services for specialized programming.
• Marathon Central School District: Adjacent Cortland County, NY central school district serving a comparable rural population. Overlaps in BOCES CTE access and faces similar small-district fiscal pressures tied to property tax levies and NY Foundation Aid.
• Cortland Enlarged City School District: Closest geographic peer, also located in Cortland County, NY, serving students across multiple school buildings with PreK-12 programming, athletics, and BOCES partnerships. Comparable in scale and rural-upstate NY demographic context, making it the most direct operational and fiscal comparator.
• Cincinnatus Central School District: Small rural central school district in Cortland County, NY with a similar PreK-12 structure and demographic profile. Closely comparable on enrollment scale, revenue mix, and small-district operational constraints.
• Dryden Central School District: Neighboring rural central school district in Tompkins County, NY serving a similar PreK-12 student population with overlapping BOCES (TST/OCM) and SUNY Cortland partnerships. Highly comparable in scale, governance, and student demographics.

Broad incumbents

• Ithaca City School District: Larger NY public school district in the same region with K-12 programming, athletics, and CTE pathways. Overlaps operationally as a regional incumbent but serves a more urban/college-town population with substantially greater scale and resources.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Homercentral
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HCSDYoutube
• Facebookfacebook.com/HomerCentral
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homer-central-school-district

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Homer Central School District