New Rochelle schools propose 3.95% tax-levy override, plan up to 200 staff reductions to close $20.2 million gap

The New Rochelle City School District presented a draft 2025-26 budget proposal that would increase the property tax levy by 3.95% and reduce the district workforce by up to 200 full-time equivalent positions to close a budget shortfall the administration quantified as roughly $20,216,317.

Superintendent Dr. Reynolds said the district ‘‘is faced with a $20,200,000 hole in our budget to fill’’ and described the shortfall as the product of multiple factors including rising transportation and health insurance costs, changes to the state foundation aid formula and the end of one-time federal pandemic-era grants. Dr. Reynolds said the district is ‘‘planning for what we know now’’ while continuing advocacy to state lawmakers in Albany.

The draft budget forecasts a total operating budget in the roughly $359 million–$360 million range. Assistant Superintendent for Business Carlos Leal and Business Administrator Joy Mike laid out specifics: the draft assumes a 3.95% levy (which the presenters noted requires a 60% voter approval as an override), would rebalance class sizes, implement a two-tiered elementary bus schedule to reduce transportation runs, and shrink contracted services and overtime. Leal said the district expects the proposed package to…