White Plains School District proposes budget maintaining tax levy and supporting student programs

The White Plains Board of Education meeting on March 10, 2025, highlighted a significant focus on fiscal responsibility and strategic planning for the district's budget. Superintendent Dr. Rekha emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between providing high-quality education and being accountable to taxpayers. "Everything has an implication for the future," he stated, underscoring the need for careful financial management.

The proposed budget for the upcoming year reflects a modest increase of 1.67%, staying within the tax cap while ensuring that all student programs, including extracurricular activities and arts, remain funded. This budgetary approach is a continuation of the district's commitment to fiscal health, with a history of not raising the tax levy to the maximum allowable amount over the past eight years.

Key financial strategies discussed included utilizing $68.3 million from capital reserves to fund projects without incurring debt, thus saving taxpayers from principal and interest payments. The district has also allocated $15.6 million into debt service reserve funds to manage future payments effectively. Dr. Rekha noted that the district's focus on finding efficiencies has allowed them to return savings to taxpayers while still addressing the needs of students.

The meeting also touched on the complexities of the tax levy cap, which is influenced by various factors, including property tax growth and payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements. The district is advocating for changes to the tax levy cap regulations to better align with rising costs, as current limits do not adequately cover increasing expenses in utilities and insurance.

In conclusion, the proposed budget not only aims to sustain educational programs but also reflects the district's ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. As the Board prepares for the final budget approval, the focus remains on ensuring that the needs of students are met while honoring commitments to the community.