White Plains schools propose $206.5M preliminary budget, recommends 1.67% tax-levy increase

Superintendent Dr. Urkel presented the White Plains City School District's preliminary proposed budget for the 2025—26 academic year, saying the plan "is at 1.67% as a recommended, increase in, in this budget, again, within the tax cap" and that it preserves existing student programs while closing projected shortfalls.

The budget presentation outlined revenue gains and expense drivers that shaped the proposal. District leaders said recent state aid changes produced an estimated $3.6 million increase in Foundation Aid and related allocations and an additional $1.2 million in expense-driven aid based on February data, which helped reduce the local levy requirement. The administration also plans to use reserves, including $3.3 million from capital reserves and debt-service reserve funds, to keep the capital tax levy flat compared with the previous year.

Why it matters: Board members and district leaders framed the proposal as a balance between sustaining instructional programs and limiting taxpayer impact. The district said about 77% of the operating budget would remain in program/instructional spending, with 7.67% administrative and 15.59% capital components.

School leaders detailed key program and staffing items that the budget would support. The district is funding curriculum and professional learning across grade levels, adopting K—2 ELA materials, continuing Science 21 aligned to state standards, expanding computer science and digital-fluency work, and supporting MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports). The preliminary budget includes a 1.0 FTE self-contained classroom at Mamaroneck Avenue School (one teacher, two teaching assistants, part-time speech) and a 0.4 FTE addition for high school dance through reallocation.

Dr. Urkel and other presenters emphasized long-range planning and fiscal management. They said the district has used capital reserves to avoid issuing debt for recent projects ($68.3 million used over eight years) and set aside funds for anticipated tax refunds on commercial properties. Officials noted continued pressure from rising costs in utilities, insurance, and retirement systems and said they are pursuing efficiency measures.

Planned facilities and operations investments were listed as high priorities: drainage and field work at Post Road and GW schools, security vestibules at Rochambeau and Eastview, auditorium chair replacements at Church Street, high-school locker-room HVAC and pool work, tennis court resurfacing, and installation of additional vaping/smoking detectors. Upgrades to security cameras (Verkada), cybersecurity, a new parent communication platform (ParentSquare), phone-system upgrades, and transportation changes (transition to Durham Bus Services, additional stop-arm cameras) were also part of the plan.

Board members praised the proposal's emphasis on instruction and long-range planning. President Eller and other board members highlighted outreach, committee review, and community input as part of the budget development process. The superintendent invited questions and directed the public to the district budget webpage and a dedicated email (abudget@WPCSD.US) for follow-up.

Ending: The board will present the budget to voters in the annual May election (third Tuesday in May). Officials said they would continue outreach and monitoring as the state finalizes the 2025 budget and any related education law changes that could affect district planning.