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Pleasantville proposes $65.1 million budget; tax levy increase 2.96% ahead of May 19 vote
Summary
The Pleasantville Union Free School District unveiled a $65,114,168 proposed 2026–27 budget — a 3.39% increase over the current year — with a proposed tax levy change of 2.96% (under the district’s estimated 2.975% tax cap). The board set the adoption and hearing timeline leading to the May 19 budget vote.
The Pleasantville Union Free School District on March 3 previewed a $65,114,168 proposed budget for 2026–27, a 3.39% increase from the prior year, and outlined a timetable that culminates with the district’s annual budget vote on Tuesday, May 19.
Why it matters: The proposed spending plan preserves core academic programs while responding to rising personnel and special-education costs; the board said the levy increase remains inside the district’s tax-cap calculation.
The Superintendent said the budget emphasizes leadership, curriculum, wellness, infrastructure and partnerships and called it “responsive to change,” noting that the district will formalize an English-as-a-new-language (ENL) teacher position in 2026–27 to support a rise in English language learners. “Our total proposed budget is 65,114,168, which is a percentage change over last year's budget of 3.39%,” the Superintendent said.
John Chow, the district’s business official, summarized key uncertainties and cost drivers: one ongoing bargaining negotiation, state aid that is not finalized until after April 1, substantial health insurance increases (about 9% for active employees and more than 20% for Medicare retirees), and projected increases in out-of-district special-education placements. “At this point we still have one negotiation with one bargaining unit,” Chow said, and he identified special-education placements and health premiums as primary budget pressures.
Headline numbers and drivers: - Total proposed budget: $65,114,168 (3.39% increase). - Proposed tax levy change: 2.96%; district tax-cap calculation shown at about 2.975%, so the levy is under the cap. - Salaries plus benefits represent just over 71% of expenditures. - Health insurance increase: +$631,000; net benefit increase (after a TRS decrease) about $479,000. - Contractual increases (mainly out-of-district special education): ~$620,000. - Tuition revenue from students placed by other districts projected up about $467,000 (9.62% change). - Interest income projected up ~$251,000 (about 45% increase). - Projected net enrollment change: decrease of 22 students districtwide (high school down 27, BRS up 9).
Schedule and next steps: The board will receive presentations from instructional administrators on March 17 and further budget detail on April 7; the district expects to adopt a budget by April 21, hold a public hearing on May 5, and present the budget for voter approval on May 19.
Votes at a glance (meeting outcomes): - Policy 1510 (second reading) — motion approved (board voted to approve the second reading during this meeting). - Consent agenda — approved. - Motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss a student-privacy matter and potential litigation — approved; the board stated it would not reconvene for public business.
The district has posted line-by-line expenditure and revenue details on its website; staff said some figures remain estimates until state aid and final health premium rates are confirmed.
