Wappingers superintendent recommends $321 million 2025–26 budget, 1.3% tax levy increase

The superintendent of the Wappingers Central School District presented a recommended $321,000,000 budget for 2025–26 to the district’s Board of Education, proposing a 1.3% increase in the district tax levy—below the stated 1.57% tax-cap figure—and recommending $12,000,000 from the district fund balance to limit taxpayer impact.

The recommendation, the superintendent said, maintains existing academic programs while adding staff and services in special education, English-language learning, reading support, school safety, health services, technology and career-and-technical education. “We continue our focus on safety as well as the emotional and mental health of our students and staff,” the superintendent said, adding the district will keep advocating for state and federal funding for safety-related costs.

The budget document presented to the board lists a total budget of about $321 million and a tax levy of roughly $192 million. The superintendent cited a tax-levy increase of 1.3% and the district’s decision to apply $12 million from reserves (fund balance) to reduce the levy. The presentation described the difference between…