Wappingers superintendent unveils recommended 2025-26 budget with 1.4% levy proposal, $12 million fund-balance use

Good evening. Superintendent Dr. Bock presented the Wappingers Central School District’s Recommended Budget No. 1 on March 10, outlining priorities for the 2025–26 school year and proposing a tax-levy increase of 1.4% while using $12 million of district fund balance to mitigate the levy impact.

The superintendent said the recommended levy “comes in no higher than 1.4%,” and emphasized the district’s aim to remain under the state tax-cap for the fourth consecutive year. He framed the budget around maintaining current programs, expanding special-education services and language-based supports, and investing in career-technical education such as the district’s P-TECH partnership with Dutchess Community College.

Why it matters: the recommended budget combines operating priorities with one-time fund-balance spending to limit the immediate tax impact, while proposing program and staffing changes that respond to shifting student needs, particularly an increase in special-education and English-language learner populations.

Key proposals and context

- Tax levy and fund balance: The superintendent said consumer price index data supports a tax-cap calculation that yields a district maximum of about 1.57%; the recommended levy is 1.4%. He recommended using $12,000,000 of the district’s fund balance to reduce tax-levy pressure. The district expects to continue to monitor state aid allocations and update projections when the governor’s numbers are finalized.

- Special education and staffing: The presentation noted a roughly 4% increase in the special-education population and proposed adding two special-education teachers and two teaching assistants to expand a language‑based, multi-sensory reading program (15:1:1 ratio), plus a professional developer for special education. The superintendent said, “That is going to continue for a while,” referring to caseload trends and IEP-driven needs.

- Career and technical education: The budget preserves and expands career-technical programs, including P-TECH, which pairs high-school students with Dutchess Community College for an associate degree and industry certification over four years. The superintendent said businesses have told the district they will hire graduates “starting at about $80,000 a year.” The recommendation also includes three additional teachers in math, science and technology tied to these programs.

- School safety and mental health: The recommended budget maintains investments in school safety officers and mental-health supports. The district expects continued advocacy for state and federal safety funding, and reported additional school resource officer coverage across several campuses.

Board questions and comments

Trustees asked about the budget’s treatment of anticipated retirements and staffing replacements; the superintendent and senior staff confirmed replacement staffing plans will follow routine vacancy and hiring processes. Trustee John S. Morgan highlighted that despite lower per-pupil spending in the district compared with other county districts, graduation rates remain high, saying, “we are among the highest in graduation rates.” Trustee Marie Johnson recommended preserving discretion to hold some fund-balance dollars for later use if needed.

Unknowns and next steps

The superintendent noted final state aid numbers may arrive after his target date and could require later adjustments; the budget will be refined as final allocations are known. He reminded the public that the budget vote is scheduled for May 20, 2025.

Ending

The superintendent closed by inviting community input through planned forums at each high school and through the district’s budget website, which the district said will include comparative data for the last five years.