The Enlarged City School District of Middletown Board of Education on April 24 adopted a resolution to place the 2025–26 district budget on the May 20 ballot, approving a proposed total of roughly $276.4 million and a tax-levy increase of 1.99 percent.

The budget resolution was moved by Pastor Williams and seconded by Board Member Moore and passed unanimously, 8–0. Board President Estrada called the vote after a final public review and discussion at the meeting.

The adopted proposal, as presented at the meeting, shows a total budget in the $276 million range and a tax-levy increase the district estimates will raise about $1.4 million. District staff cautioned the board that the state budget had not been finalized and that final revenues could change. “By law, we have to present a three‑part budget: administrative, program (instruction), and capital,” said Mr. Tuttle, a district staff member who presented the budget recap. He noted the district was operating under the state’s 2 percent tax‑cap rules while the Legislature had not yet adopted the statewide budget.

Why this matters: If the budget is defeated by voters, state law requires the district to adopt a contingent budget that freezes many purchases and returns the prior year’s levy, limiting services, equipment purchases and facility use. Board members repeatedly urged voters to participate, noting low turnout historically for school budget votes.

Key figures and schedule presented at the meeting
- Proposed district budget: approximately $276.4 million (presented in the meeting text as $276,417,004; figures reported by staff during the presentation).
- Proposed tax-levy increase: 1.99 percent (estimated to raise about $1,400,000).
- Vote threshold: a simple majority (50% plus one) is needed to approve the budget. If the budget fails, the district must adopt a contingency budget and revert to the previous year’s levy.
- Outreach/events: Meet‑the‑Candidates night April 5 at 7 p.m. in the Media Center (district announcement), budget presentation to Middletown City Council on May 6 at City Hall, a final district budget review May 12 at 6 p.m., the budget hearing at the next regular board meeting as required by statute, and the budget vote on Tuesday, May 20.

Board members stressed civic participation. Board Member Mitchell Williams and others urged district residents to attend the budget events and the May 20 vote. “Please come out on May 20,” Mitchell Williams said, emphasizing that historically low turnout in Middletown makes every vote consequential for schools and programs.

The board will publish the final adopted budget documents, the property tax report card and other required materials on the district web site and in the minutes following the meeting.