Board reviews draft 2025–26 budget; tax-cap calculation shows ~2.43% maximum levy increase

Mr. Jerome, presenting the district’s third budget update, told the board the preliminary 2025–26 budget the district is developing would require revenues and expenditures to balance at roughly $126.6 million under the scenario shown that evening.

Jerome said the draft tax-cap calculation — filed as a draft to New York State — would allow a maximum tax-levy increase of about 2.43%, or roughly $1.7 million, before the board would need a supermajority action; he noted the district has not yet set a recommendation for the actual levy. Jerome told the board the budget-to-budget increase in the scenario shown would be about $5.6 million (4.68%). He said the district is still awaiting the New York State legislative budget (expected by April 1) and final health-insurance rates from the Dutchess Educational Health Insurance Consortium (DHEC), both of which affect the final numbers.

Key revenue and expenditur…