Newburgh board adopts $394 million 2026–27 budget after heated public comment
Loading...
Summary
After extended public comment raising concerns about past surpluses and staffing cuts, the Newburgh City School District board adopted a $394 million general fund budget for 2026–27. The administration said the plan preserves services while using increased state aid and vacancy savings.
The Newburgh City School District Board of Education voted to adopt a $394,000,000 general fund budget for the 2026–27 school year after public comment and board debate on April 7.
Supporters on the majority of the board said the budget holds the tax levy flat while absorbing a $14.1 million increase in state aid and covering rising employee compensation, transportation and mandated costs. "This does propose a flat tax levy and it does recognize an increase of $14,100,000 in aid," the assistant superintendent for finance told the board during her presentation.
Several members of the public urged the board to reject the proposal. Deb Bouley cited a February 2026 New York State Comptroller report and said the district repeatedly underestimated revenues, producing surpluses while asking taxpayers for more money. "Taxpayers deserve that money back," Bouley said, calling for a rebate and greater transparency. Resident David Rhine also opposed the budget, noting enrollment declines and a pattern of funded but unfilled vacancies that produced surpluses.
Board members pressed administration for detail on staffing, vacancy counts and program impacts. The administration responded that the budget reflects vacancy savings and that proposed staffing reductions of 35.6 positions are due to vacancies, retirements and resignations and include no layoffs; they also outlined 16 new or reassigned positions tied to the new CTE building and exceptional learners priorities.
The board took public questions during the presentation about class sizes, recruitment strategies, and how the district is responding to hard‑to‑fill roles such as bilingual and special education. "We've been doing recruitment fairs, partnering with local colleges and starting hiring earlier in the year," a district official said when describing efforts to fill shortages.
After discussion, the board approved the budget by roll call. The public hearing on the budget had been scheduled for May 12, with the annual vote on May 19, as noted in the presentation.
The resolution recorded a roll call adopting the general fund budget; board members who voted against the resolution stated they had not received sufficient detail to verify long‑term liabilities and expenditures. The administration said the board received the three‑part budget, a line‑by‑line revenue and expense listing and a position listing.
