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Board approves budget slate, accepts donations and green-lights camps and clubs
Summary
At its May 11 meeting the White Plains Board of Education approved the WPS SBA vote on the proposed 2026–27 budget and a nominating slate, accepted a long list of donations and grants, and approved a football camp and new extracurricular clubs at Highlands Middle School.
The White Plains Board of Education on May 11 approved a slate of summary actions including acceptance of multiple donations and grants, confirmed the WPS School Business Association vote on the proposed 2026–27 budget and board nominating slate, and approved several individual items including a football camp and new clubs at Highlands Middle School.
Superintendent Joe Ricca told the board the proposed budget represents a 1.6% increase and “is within the tax cap,” adding there would be “no reduction in program” if the budget passes. The board opened and closed a public hearing on the proposal and directed the public to detailed line-by-line materials posted on the district website.
By voice vote the board accepted a large set of donor gifts and grants, including a $50,000 Rafaelo Pantanelli scholarship donation (from Oakland Trading Corporation), an $8,000 Margaret L. Kurtz Memorial scholarship gift, and multiple smaller scholarships and in-kind gifts to support athletics and music programs. The board then moved through individual action items, recording approval of the WPS SBA vote on the proposed budget and the nominating slate, approval of a football camp at White Plains High School, and approval to charter new extracurricular clubs (basketball, baking and a spring musical) at Highlands Middle School as district-affiliated student organizations.
The motions were moved and seconded on the floor; outcomes were recorded by voice vote (“Aye”). No roll-call vote tally by member name was read into the record during the meeting.
What happens next: The budget goes before voters in the district election scheduled for May 19; district materials and a mailed flyer with a QR code listing polling places were made available to residents. Routine implementation items (camp logistics, club charters and donor acceptance) will be carried out by appropriate school staff and the district offices according to standard procedures.
