Eastchester Board adopts $110.9 million 2025-26 budget; tax report card approved, Wright Act agreement tabled

The Eastchester Union Free School District Board of Education voted to adopt a proposed $110,914,498 budget for the 2025–26 school year and approved the district's school property tax report card at its meeting on an evening in May.

The budget, which the board will present to district voters on the May 20, 2025 ballot as Proposition 1, was moved by Matt and seconded by Jackie; the board president called the vote and the motion carried. The board also approved the district’s school property tax report card and directed the assistant superintendent to submit it in accordance with law. The board approved a consent agenda covering minutes, personnel, curriculum and instruction items, CSE/CPSE recommendations and business-office recommendations, but earlier in the meeting it voted to table one business-office item: approval of an agreement with the Wright Act of School for later discussion.

Board and administration leaders said the budget was built to prioritize instruction while staying under the state’s 2% tax cap. Superintendent Dr. Valente described the proposal as the result of months of planning with district leadership and staff and said it reflects priorities including “supporting student achievement through high-quality instruction and resources, maintaining critical student services and programs, and providing safe, inclusive learning environments.” He said the proposed tax levy increase for the district is a 1.9% increase compared with the prior year and called the spending plan “an investment” in students.

Key financial figures provided by the superintendent and staff: - Proposed budget total: $110,914,498. - Proposed net increase over the current year: $1,900,000 (about 1.9%). - Revenue sources: roughly 75% local property-tax levy, 16% state aid, 9% other sources (interest, county taxes, miscellaneous). - Program spending: approximately 78% of every dollar (teacher salaries, classroom instruction, technology and materials). - Superintendent presented an estimated change in tax rate of about $1 per $1,000 (from $1,006.27 to $1,006.28); board members later presented the projected average homeowner impact as about $104 annually.

The board scheduled a public hearing on the budget for May 6 and the annual budget vote and trustee election for May 20. Board members said the district attempted to balance program investment with taxpayer concerns; a board member noted the district’s combined wealth ratio is about 1.48 and described the budget as keeping the tax levy below median regional increases while increasing spending for students.

On the consent agenda, the board voted to table item 12.6, approval of an agreement with the Wright Act of School, for future discussion. The board then approved the remainder of the consent agenda items, which included approval of minutes, personnel actions, curriculum and instruction items, and committee on preschool education and committee on special education recommendations.

The board took no additional substantive policy actions at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to adopt the 2025–26 budget in the amount of $110,914,498. Mover: Matt. Second: Jackie. Outcome: adopted; to be presented to voters as Proposition 1 on May 20, 2025. (Text of resolution presented in meeting.) - Motion to approve the 2025–26 school property tax report card and authorize submission. Mover: Matt. Second: Sean. Outcome: adopted; assistant superintendent authorized to submit. - Motion to table business-office item 12.6 (agreement with Wright Act of School). Mover: Matt. Second: Laurie. Outcome: tabled for further discussion. - Motion to approve consent agenda (with section 12 previously adjusted to reflect the tabled item). Mover: Jackie. Second: Shawan. Outcome: adopted.

The board president closed the business portion of the meeting after approving the consent agenda and announcing upcoming meeting dates and the budget hearing.