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Chappaqua board adopts $144.4 million proposed budget for 2025-26 within tax cap
Summary
The Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education voted to adopt a $144,392,025 proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year, a 2.59% overall increase and a 2.31% tax levy increase; the budget remains within the districttax cap and includes capital and safety projects.
The Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education voted to adopt the districtproposed $144,392,025 budget for the 2025-26 school year and ratified the property tax report card on March 26.
The proposal represents a $3.6 million increase over the 2024-25 budget (2.59% overall) and a tax levy increase of 2.31, a level the administration said fits within the statetax cap. The board discussed enrollment projections, program priorities, capital transfers, and contingency implications before approving the measure by voice vote.
The budget presentation reviewed projected enrollment stability across the districtand maintained the districtgoal of small elementary class sizes. Administrators told the board the budget includes expanded social-emotional supports, a world-language pilot at the elementary level, enhanced special-education programming and transition supports, preserved athletic teams, technology and security upgrades, and reduced reliance on fund balance to bolster reserves. The proposal also shifts some technology services to BOCES to capture state reimbursement aid and swaps debt service and capital-transfer lines as bond-funded projects come online.
Administrators highlighted specific capital items included in the plan: a guard house at Horace Greeley High School, paving work for senior and Bell lots, and the completion of most bond-funded capital projects by Sept. 1. The board was told the budget expects modest increases in state aid (foundation and BOCES aid) and higher miscellaneous income from PTA programs and rentals.
Board members asked for more breathing room in next yearplanning the timing of presentations and the interval between the final department presentations and the official adoption of the proposed budget so the community and board members have more time to absorb material; one board member said an additional workshop held earlier in March helped increase confidence before the vote.
The board chair and several members praised staff for the level of information provided, including follow-up work and a targeted workshop that produced one minor adjustment after additional review. Administrators reminded residents that the public vote is scheduled for May 20 and reviewed voter eligibility, absentee-ballot procedures and deadlines to run for two open board seats.
Votes at a glance: - Item 3.3: Resolution to adopt the proposed 2025-26 budget and ratify the property tax report card — motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote. (Vote recorded as voice vote; individual yea/nay roll was not recorded in the public transcript.) - Item 3.1: Acceptance of minutes from prior meeting — motion moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. - Consent agenda Items 5.1through 5.15 (including grant approvals and cooperative-service renewals) — adopted by a single motion and voice vote. - Items 4.1 (instructional recommendations) and 8.1through 8.3 (financial reports receipts) — approved by voice votes.
The board closed the meeting after approving the agenda items; administrators said they will continue outreach with community coffees and one-on-one conversations to answer budget questions ahead of the May 20 vote.
