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Port Jervis school officials present $103 million budget, say it will not raise taxes for fifth straight year
Summary
Dr. John Bell told the Port Jervis Common Council the proposed 2025–26 school budget rises to about $103 million but would not increase the tax levy for the fifth consecutive year; a $49.9 million capital project and a proposed 12.5-acre land purchase are on the May ballot.
Dr. John Bell, presenting the Port Jervis School District budget to the Common Council, said the district's proposed 2025–26 spending plan rises above $100 million but will not increase local property taxes for the fifth year in a row.
Bell said the district's budget grew from about $96 million last year to roughly $103 million this year as construction-related spending and matching state aid increased both expenditures and revenue. "This will be the fifth year in a row with no tax increase," Bell said, attributing past relief in part to federal COVID-era aid and to state building-aid reimbursements.
The district plans a $49.9 million capital project focused on the middle- and high-school campus, including electrical and HVAC upgrades and installation of air conditioning in classrooms. Bell said the state is expected to cover approximately $39 million of the project and the district would cover about $10 million from fund balance and a capital reserve, which the district expects will avoid a tax impact for voters if the referendum passes.
Bell also described a proposed real-estate purchase: the former Joyland property, roughly 12.5 acres, for $850,000. He said the parcel — 11.5 acres in Deer Park and one acre within the Port Jervis city line — would connect two campuses, allow safe pedestrian paths between schools and enable maintenance vehicles to circulate off city streets. "The cost is, 850,000 for 12 and a half acres," Bell said, adding the district would pay from fund balance so there would be no tax increase.
Bell gave logistical details for the referendum: the school vote is scheduled for May 20, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the district will use paper ballots at two polling locations and expects tabulated results by about 9:30 p.m. He said the district reverted to paper ballots because of difficulty finding county-certified machine operators for a small local turnout.
Why it matters: The budget decision affects local taxpayers, district facilities and the schedule for future capital work. The capital project would extend air conditioning to all classrooms and attempt to lock in favorable state aid while property values remain high.
The district will put the capital project and the real-estate acquisition before voters in May. If the referendum is approved, the district expects to fund the local share from reserves rather than by increasing the tax levy.
