Newburgh proposes 5.6% budget increase with 0% tax levy; public hearing draws questions on litigation costs

District staff presented the Newburgh City School District’s proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget to the board and public during a May 13 budget hearing, reporting a year‑over‑year budget increase and a proposed 0% increase in the tax levy.

A staff presenter said the proposed budget shows a 5.6% increase from the prior year and noted that “for 8 of the 9 previous years, there has been a 0% tax increase” and that the proposal for the coming year again shows a 0% tax levy change. The presenter described the required three‑part budget breakdown — administration, capital and programmatic — and said the programmatic portion remains the largest share of expenses, covering instruction, transportation and services for exceptional learners.

On revenue, the presenter described multiple sources without citing a single consolidated figure on the public screen: “state sources, which come in at, over…