Wappingers superintendent previews 2025–26 budget; proposes levy increase below tax-cap

The superintendent of the Wappingers Central School District released a video presentation outlining the district's proposed 2025'26 budget and the timetable for public review, saying the recommended tax levy would be "below the tax cap." The district proposes a levy of a little over $193,000,000, an increase of roughly $2,800,000 from the prior year and a preliminary estimate of about a 1.5% levy increase.

The presentation explained why the levy and state aid are central to the district's finances: about 68.57% of preliminary revenue is projected to come from the proposed tax levy, while proposed New York State aid accounts for about 29.11% of the budget. The superintendent said final budget numbers depend on state aid figures set by the New York State Legislature and the New York State Education Department.

The superintendent described the timetable for the budget process: earlier budget materials were presented in November and February; the superintendent's recommended budget and related presentations were scheduled for March and April; the board is expected to adopt a budget in late April that will be put to voters on the third Tuesday in May (the video referenced a May 20 budget vote). The district will hold the state-mandated public hearing on the budget and community forums at the high schools, including John Jay High School and Roy C. Ketcham High School, before the vote.

Explaining the tax-cap calculation, the superintendent said the New York State tax levy limit uses an eight-step formula that includes local growth factors and inflation measures. For 2025'26 the district's tax-cap calculation was stated as 1.73%; the presenter said the broader consumer price index (CPI) for 2025'26 was 2.95% and that the 2% figure commonly mentioned in public discussion is only one factor in the formula. The superintendent cautioned that the phrase "tax cap" can be misleading and noted that if a district proposes a levy above the calculated limit it would require 60% voter approval to pass.

The video listed other revenue sources the district uses besides state aid and the tax levy, including payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs), interest earnings, continuing education, tuition, foster care billing, health services billing, insurance recoveries, gifts and donations, and miscellaneous receipts. The superintendent also noted that historically the district files aid claims with the Office of Management Services at the New York State Education Department and that all state aid to school districts is determined annually through the state budget process.

The presentation included a brief explanation of budget terms and a reminder that the district posts budget documents, prior-year comparisons, and a frequently used terms list on its website (wappingerschools.org). The superintendent encouraged public feedback via email at budget@WCSDNY.org and through the public comment periods at board meetings and required hearings.

The video closed by reiterating that the proposed budget aims to balance student needs, staff recommendations and district goals while complying with New York State requirements; the superintendent said the district is "hoping to come in under the tax cap somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5%."