Superintendent presents $336 million Wappingers Central School District budget, says levy stays under tax cap

The superintendent of the Wappingers Central School District presented the districtproposed 2026 ("2627") budget in a recorded board presentation, saying the plan would remain below the statetax cap and sustain core programs for students.

"For the fifth consecutive year, the budget that I'm recommending will be below the tax cap," the superintendent said, and asked voters to support the $336 million plan at the May 19 budget vote.

The proposal would allocate about 78.7% (roughly $265 million) to programs that include teachers, teaching assistants, school psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors and special-education services. Capital needs account for about $39 million for custodial and maintenance work, debt service and equipment, while administration is roughly 9.6% of the total. The superintendent said the total is "just under $337 million."

Officials said the district would fund the budget while keeping the tax-levy increase at 2.59%, 0.03 percentage points below the district's calculated tax-cap rate of 2.62%. To limit the levy increase, the superintendent said the district plans to use just under $15 million of general-fund balance and draw on reserves to offset a state retirement-system rate increase.

The presentation stressed program continuity and student supports, including mental-health services and career and technical education. The superintendent noted the district had previously received a mental-health services grant of $2.5 million from the governor that was not renewed; he also said the district had added about 16 mental-health professionals and roughly eight to 10 nurses over the past five years.

District performance figures highlighted in the presentation included a 93% graduation rate, described as the second-highest in Dutchess County. The superintendent emphasized continued investment in professional development and technology so staff can support students' evolving needs.

If voters reject the budget, the board has three options: adopt a contingency budget, revote the same budget or submit a revised budget for a revote (the superintendent set a possible revote date of June 16). The superintendent said a contingency budget would be limited to ordinary contingent expenditures, that it would cap the levy at last year's level and that making the contingency adjustments would require roughly $21 million in cuts and additional shifts to fund balance.

The presentation concluded with instructions for voting (in person, May 19, 7:30to9:00 p.m., or by mail-in ballot received by the district clerk by 5:00 p.m. on May 19) and invitations to community forums and public hearings.

The district posted detailed budget materials online and invited emailed questions to budget@wcsdny.org.