Port Jervis board places $103.95 million 2025-26 budget on May 20 ballot; approves related capital and financing measures

The Port Jervis City School District Board of Education voted April 24 to place a proposed $103,950,000 budget for the 2025-26 school year on the May 20, 2025 ballot and approved several linked capital and financing measures.

Assistant Superintendent for Business John Tim told the board the district—udgeted figure is $103,950,000 and said the proposed budget represents "our fifth year of a 0% tax increase," while total expenses rise because of borrowing for capital projects and other cost pressures. He said the district increased its appropriation from fund balance to balance the budget pending final state aid figures.

The board also approved a construction manager for Phase 5 of the district—apital program (listed as Schoolhouse Construction Services), a Dormitory Authority of the State of New York bond-financing agreement and letter of representation, and several capital allowances and change orders. Those approvals came after presentations describing Phase 5 work, which Superintendent Dr. John Bell said would include electrical upgrades and new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning for the district—ampus buildings if voters approve the capital proposition.

Dr. Bell said the administration is also pursuing a separate proposition to buy the 12.5-acre Joyland property near Hamilton Street to add field space, connect campuses and provide a designated reunification area in emergencies. "It actually connects all the way to Glenette Field," Bell said, noting the purchase would give the district more control over future use and access between campuses.

Board members approved routine district votes that accompany the budget process, including the BOCES administrative budget and cooperative purchasing through the Orange-Ulster Cooperative Bid Committee. The board held a roll-call vote for the budget resolution; the board udio records show all present members voting yes.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of proposed 2025-26 budget and placement on ballot (May 20, 2025) in the amount of $103,950,000: approved (roll-call vote recorded as all present voting yes). - Approval of Schoolhouse Construction Services as construction manager for Capital Project Phase 5: approved (motion carried). - Approval of Dormitory Authority (bond financing agreement) and letter of representation: approved (motion carried). - Capital project allowances and change orders: approved (motion carried). - Approval of BOCES administrative budget for 2025-26: approved (motion carried). - Election of three candidates to the Board of Cooperative Educational Services: approved (William Voss, Edwin Estrada, David Eaton). - Approval of cooperative purchasing through the Orange-Ulster Cooperative Bid Committee for 2025-26: approved. - Approval of new K— reading program (Into Reading / HMH): approved. - Other routine items tied to the budget meeting (bond and financing items, bidding/cooperative purchasing): approved.

How this matters

Board presentations and the votes set the district—inancial and capital agenda for the coming year. John Tim said the budget rise (about $7.5 million or 7.72% in expenditures) reflects project borrowing and inflationary cost increases; he also noted the district had kept a 0% local tax increase for five years and that foundation aid from New York State remained pending. The capital Phase 5 package, if approved by voters in the separate proposition described by Bell, would extend air-conditioning and major systems work to remaining buildings, and the Joyland property purchase would provide field space and an evacuation/reunification site.

Implementation notes

District staff said they will adjust appropriations if final state aid numbers differ from the current estimates. The proposed budget will appear on the May 20 ballot at locations announced by the district. Separate items that require voter approval (phase 5 capital proposition and the Joyland purchase) were described by the administration and will be placed on the ballot or otherwise presented for voter approval per established timelines.