New Rochelle board hears plan to close $20.2M gap with 3.95% levy, up to 200 job cuts proposed

The New Rochelle City School District on Thursday continued budget work session No. 7 as Superintendent Dr. Reynolds and district finance staff outlined a proposed $359,468,597 budget that would close a roughly $20,200,000 revenue gap largely through a proposed 3.95% tax-levy increase and reductions in staff and contracted services.

"We have a $20,200,000 gap to close," Superintendent Dr. Reynolds said, describing changes to the state's foundation-aid formula and other cost pressures that have reduced expected state funding. She told the board the district is asking voters to approve a 3.95% levy increase that exceeds the local tax-cap calculation and therefore would require a 60% voter approval to take effect.

The nut graf: the administration presented a balanced-draft budget that combines a tax-levy override request with proposed operational changes — including a staggered elementary bell schedule to reduce bus runs, higher planned class-size ranges for budgeting, and a workforce reduction target the administration described as “as many as 200 positions” — while maintaining legally required special-education placements and certain student-facing programs.

Most important details and decisions

- Budget total and gap: Assistant Superintendent for Business Carlos Leal presented the proposed total of $359,468,597. Dr. Reynolds and staff said the district faces a budget gap of about $20.2 million driven by lower state aid after a formula change, rising health-insurance and transportation…