Yorktown board hears budget updates; tax cap set at 2.38%

The Yorktown Central School District Board of Education on March 2 reviewed the third in a series of budget presentations and was told the district's tax-cap calculation comes to a 2.38% increase in the levy, or roughly $2 million year-over-year.

Lisa San Philippo, the district's assistant superintendent for business, said the calculation was submitted to New York State and that the district does not intend to seek an override. "The tax cap calculation comes out to a 2.38% increase over last year's tax levy or just a little over $2 million year-to-year," she said, adding the numbers may still be adjusted before the board adopts a final budget in April.

Administrators used the presentation to walk trustees through departmental budgets and priorities. Jen Forsber, director of technologies, outlined the technology and data department's operations for roughly 4,100 daily users and a 12-person internal team supporting a 1:1 Chromebook program, touchscreen Chromebooks in K-8, and a BYOD option for secondary students. Forsber said the district supports about 400 camera views, 380 displays and provides video streaming for athletics and events.

Forsber emphasized cybersecurity and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in instructional and non-instructional tools. "Security remains a top priority," she said, describing multi-layered defenses, 24/7 monitoring, phishing simulations and regular outside penetration testing. She also listed AI-related professional learning for staff and pilot programs for classroom tools.

On operational metrics, Forsber told the board the technology help desk has resolved "almost 18,000 tickets with an average turnaround time of 36 hours or less" since July 1, noting that some requests require parts or multi-step vendor coordination.

San Philippo outlined the technology budget, which is up modestly year-over-year (about $67,000 or 1.7%). The change reflects a salary decrease from an unfilled resignation offset by higher contractual expenses, including adding a full-time Edgitech support engineer. She said many instructional software costs are state-aidable and that the district will continue to refine budget figures prior to formal adoption.

Co-curriculars and athletics were presented in the same session. San Philippo and high-school staff listed 52 active high-school clubs (17 of them in a one-year pilot status) and roughly 23 middle-school clubs. The co-curricular budget shows a small increase of about $951 (roughly 3%), with unit allocations and stipend structures unchanged.

Rob Barrett, director of athletics, said districtwide athletics encompass 62 teams and 86 coaches across seasons, with more than 2,200 student-athlete registrations in total. The athletics budget is up about $98,000 year-over-year, driven primarily by salary increases and higher equipment and supply costs. Barrett noted plans to add a varsity boys volleyball assistant coach and to replace some equipment such as soccer goals.

The board will hear a final budget recommendation from the superintendent on March 23, adopt a budget by April 20, hold a public budget hearing May 11, and conduct the public vote May 19.