New Rochelle board opens public hearing on 2025–26 budget as residents plead to spare teachers

The City School District of New Rochelle Board of Education convened a public hearing May 20 on its proposed 2025–26 budget, during which Superintendent Dr. Reynolds told the board the district faces a roughly $33 million shortfall and is proposing a 3.95% tax-levy increase to reduce the gap.

Dr. Reynolds said, "if we were to take every operation with every person that we have this year currently in place today, and roll it over to July first of 2025, the new fiscal year, we would see a deficit of $30,000,000 $33,000,000." He said a 3.95% levy would reduce that shortfall to about $20.2 million and that closing the entire gap through taxes would require a 12.53% increase.

The presentation and subsequent public comment period focused on staffing cuts and program reductions outlined by the district as part of efforts to close the deficit. Community members, teachers and union representatives urged the board to spare classroom positions and preserve programs they said are critical for equity and student outcomes.

Resident and frequent commenter Vince Malfitano asked the district for a full accounting of positions affected and questioned some transportation and charter-related spending, saying, "Who do you really represent? The powered interest in town?" Several other speakers criticized administrative staffing levels and asked that the district consider deeper administrative cuts rather than classroom layoffs.

Tom McTigue, a fifth-grade teacher and FUSE building representative, said staffing reductions remain painful even after recent restorations. "Losing even 1 position is too many," he…