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Valley Central proposes $133.8 million budget for 2025–26; tax‑levy increase 2.49%
Summary
The district presented a recommended $133.8 million budget for 2025–26 with a 2.49% tax‑levy increase and program priorities that include CKLA literacy, athletics support, cybersecurity, furniture replacement and an assistant principal at East Goldenham.
Valley Central School District officials presented the proposed budget for the 2025–26 school year on March 25, recommending a total spending plan of $133,800,000 and a tax‑levy increase of 2.49 percent.
Why it matters: The proposed spending plan funds district priorities and will be placed before voters; if adopted, it would shape staffing, curriculum rollout and capital spending for the next school year.
Key figures and priorities: The superintendent and business office highlighted these points:
- Proposed budget: $133,800,000 (recommended). - Budget‑to‑budget increase: 3.48 percent. - Proposed tax‑levy increase: 2.49 percent (district tax‑cap calculation noted at 5.1 percent maximum). - Program/administrative/capital split: program 81%, capital 10%, administrative 9%. - State aid projected: $55,695,000 (district noted state aid figures typically increase from the governor’s proposal but may change). - Appropriated fund balance: recommended $1,250,000 (down from the current year).
New or expanded priorities identified for 2025–26 included CKLA literacy implementation (multi‑year licensing and materials), additional coaching/athletics chaperones and a uniform replacement allocation (~$50,000 start), cybersecurity protection, furniture replacement across the district, summer technology support and a proposed assistant principal at East Goldenham Elementary.
Other details presented: The budget materials call out a final phase‑in of a BOCES capital project with a projected 2025–26 line‑item cost of about $1,051,412 (the presentation said the district expects partial state aid to offset that). Salary and benefits increases were included; total expenditures included projected increases in salaries ($1.4M) and employee benefits, with an overall program component increase of $2.6M year‑over‑year.
Timeline: The board was asked to take comments and return April 7 for adoption of the proposed budget to be placed on the ballot. The public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for May 12, and the annual budget vote is set for May 20, 2025.
Quotable: Presenters said the district is taking a “transparent” process with administrator and building‑level input informing priorities. The business office noted it is reducing reliance on appropriated fund balance while maintaining reserve levels within policy.
Status: Proposed budget; board to consider adoption at April 7 meeting before the May 20 public vote.
