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Yorktown superintendent proposes 2025–26 budget with 1.74% levy, seeks to cut fund-balance reliance
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Ron Hatter presented a 2025–26 proposed budget that sets the tax levy at 1.74%, reduces one-time use of fund balance by about $1 million, and maintains current programs while flagging state-aid uncertainty and key cost drivers.
Dr. Ron Hatter, the district superintendent, presented the Yorktown Central School District’s proposed 2025–26 budget on April 7, asking the board to set a tax levy increase of 1.74% and saying the district will reduce its planned use of fund balance by roughly $1 million.
Hatter said the plan balances student needs with fiscal constraints and remains below the district’s maximum allowable levy of 2.69%, while preserving core programs and staffing levels. He added the district expects an increase in foundation aid and a net year-over-year state-aid increase of about $1.7 million but cautioned the state budget remained unsettled.
The budget matters because the levy and fund-balance choices affect taxes paid by residents and the district’s ability to sustain programs. Hatter told the board that, after using $2.2 million of fund balance to comply with the tax cap this year, the district aims to reduce that dependence to approximately $1.2 million next year — a shift he described as “a huge, huge, step forward for our district.”
Hatter identified the major budget drivers: a possible $700,000 increase in transportation costs if efficiencies are not realized, roughly $2 million in contractual employee cost increases, and an estimated $600,000 rise in health insurance. He said attrition — about 10 retirements and three resignations — will reduce the number of required replacements and help “right‑size” staffing. The presentation also cited investing in technology support, facilities clerical help and program expansions such as added American Sign Language sections, two additional FlexPath seats, and more literacy coaching.
Hatter addressed the district’s $55 million bond projects, saying the bond work is “running on time” and will receive a community update at the April 21 board meeting. He said the district is studying field drainage issues under recently installed turf and will use a portion of one-time funds for capital repairs.
On state aid, Hatter said the state budget had not been finalized and noted legislative holdups in Albany. He told the board he expects state numbers to hold or improve and said the district will share updated aid figures if they arrive before the board’s planned April 21 adoption vote. The district’s budget calendar calls for adoption on April 21 and a voter referendum and trustee election on May 20 at French Hill (polls open 7 a.m.–9 p.m.).
Board members asked about contingency positions for kindergarten and special education and Hatter said the district has built contingency staffing for kindergarten enrollment volatility and special-education placements, and that the shift to a modified zero‑based budgeting process improved scrutiny of staffing and program needs. He said the in‑district prekindergarten program provides earlier enrollment data that helps projections.
Next steps: the superintendent expects to present any updated state-aid figures and return the proposed budget for adoption at the April 21 meeting; the public vote is May 20.
