Superintendent proposes 2025–26 budget with 1.74% tax-levy increase; energy performance contract meeting set

Superintendent Dr. Ron Hatter presented the district's recommended 2025–26 budget at the Yorktown Central School District Board of Education meeting on March 24, 2025, proposing a 3.34% budget-to-budget increase and a recommended tax levy of 1.74 percent.

Dr. Hatter framed the proposal as a balance between student needs and community economic realities, saying the district used a "modified zero-based budgeting approach" focused on staffing and programmatic priorities. "Everything that we do starts with children," Dr. Hatter said during the presentation.

The presentation outlined priorities and drivers for the coming year. Among the proposed investments and changes: expanding the FlexPath program from 14 to 18 seats; hiring two literacy coaches focused on K–8; adding an ELA teacher; expanding American Sign Language offerings at the middle and high school levels; adding technology and facilities support; and planning for transportation cost increases. Dr. Hatter said the district had 10 teacher retirements and three resignations to date and expects to replace about six of those positions.

Key budget drivers and fiscal context reported during the presentation included a projected $700,000…