Equalization rates drove 2025–26 tax-rate shifts across Monroe-Woodbury towns, district presentation shows

Patrick Cahill, a staff member presenting to the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District Board of Education on Sept. 17, explained how New York State equalization rates affected the district's 2025–26 school tax rates despite a modest levy increase.

Cahill told the board the district's tax levy increased 1.5% to $133,300,000 but that changes in state equalization rates redistributed that levy among the five towns that comprise the district.

Cahill said the district uses the state's equalization rates to convert assessed values up to full market value so the levy can be apportioned fairly. "It's a system based on value. It's called an ad valorem tax system," he said. He added that because many towns assess at a fraction of market value, the equalization…