Marlboro Central presents $67 million budget proposal; board approves personnel changes

Superintendent Mr. Bridal reviewed the Marlboro Central School District's proposed $67,000,000 budget for 2024-25 and laid out decision points the board must resolve at its April 24 meeting, including the district's tax levy and possible use of reserves. The presentation highlighted a projected shift of former pilot payments into the property tax levy after the Danskammer Power Plant pilot agreement ends, and staff described options for bridging a resulting budget gap.

The superintendent said the district used a 0-based budgeting approach this year and emphasized an administrative priority to "protect core instructional programs," while keeping the budget sustainable. He told the board the district is using multiple-year expense comparisons with building administrators and the business office to reclassify and clarify line items in the proposed budget.

Why it matters: the end of a major pilot payment that has historically been recorded separately will move revenue onto property tax rolls and change the composition of the district's revenue pie. That shift affects how much of the district's revenue is labeled as coming from the tax levy and informs decisions the board must make about the levy cap, use of reserves and the final budget to present to voters in May.

Key budget points and staff explanations

- Pilot payments and Danskammer Power Plant: Staff said pilot revenues account for a small share of total district revenue…