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Superintendent presents $192.7 million 2026–27 budget; proposes 2.59% tax‑levy increase and $14M fund‑balance use
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Brown presented the Wappingers Central School District'026–27 recommended budget prioritizing safety, mental health and career and technical education, proposing a 2.59% tax levy increase and the use of roughly $14 million in fund balance to avoid layoffs and cover capital needs.
Dr. Brown presented the superintendent—s recommended 2026–27 budget, saying the plan focuses on safety, student mental health, career and technical education and continued instructional supports while keeping the tax‑levy increase under the state cap.
"It is my pleasure this evening to present to you the superintendent's recommended budget one," Dr. Brown said, placing the proposed levy increase at 2.59% and describing the plan—s reliance on a mix of state aid, grants and fund balance to limit taxpayer impact.
The recommended budget includes a total levy‑to‑levy increase of 2.59% (described as one of the lowest in Dutchess County). The administration proposes using roughly $14 million in fund balance to cover capital items and one new human‑resources supervisor position; the district—s finance lead, Kristen Dainty, said staff estimate the fund balance after the 2025–26 year will be about 3.4% of budget.
"Our estimate after the end of the 25‑26 school year would be about 3.4%," Kristen Dainty said, describing how the district evaluates fund balance and its plan to retain a reserve for future years.
Dr. Brown described two specific capital priorities the administration recommends funding from reserves rather than the tax levy: reconstruction of the John J. High School press box to meet long‑standing functional needs, and replacement of aging fire‑alarm and security systems at Meyers Corners Elementary School. He said those moves are intended to avoid placing additional burden on taxpayers while addressing safety and facility needs.
The superintendent emphasized that the recommended budget does not propose staff layoffs and that reductions will be managed through attrition; he also said some summer programming previously funded with federal COVID dollars will be reduced because that one‑time funding is exhausted.
The district expects the state budget to remain fluid; Dr. Brown told the board the final state aid numbers will influence later adjustments and noted the district will present a second superintendent—s recommended budget and hold a state‑mandated public hearing in early May. The budget vote is scheduled for May 19, 2026.
Where available, the board invited public feedback: the administration listed email and website contacts and scheduled community forums and public hearings to collect questions before final board action.
