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Dr. Sampson outlines staffing-neutral 2026–27 budget plan, cites enrollment shifts and expanded high-school options
Summary
Dr. Sampson presented district enrollment trends, special-populations needs, and curriculum expansions, saying the proposed 2026–27 budget is 'staffing neutral' and noting plans to redeploy elementary section reductions into expanded high-school course opportunities; he also flagged a potential $450,000 after-school grant partnership with the Rye YMCA.
Dr. Sampson presented the district's budget framing and data, saying the proposed 2026–27 budget is staffing neutral and that the district has been reallocating sections to expand high-school course opportunities while managing class sizes.
He described a demographic 'bubble' that moved through the elementary grades and is now affecting middle and high school enrollment. Dr. Sampson cited examples of section changes (elementary sections given as an example falling from 114 to 109) and said high-school enrollment has grown 'from about 1,500 to about 1,750' over several years. He attributed some section growth to added coursework and AP offerings (examples mentioned include AP Computer Science Principles, AP Psychology, AP Art/World History, and AP Spanish Literature) and said the district intentionally added sections to reduce oversized classes.
Dr. Sampson said English language learner (ELL) counts have been relatively stable but that a cohort of former ELLs requires two years of additional services; he estimated roughly 250 students receive intensive services and up to almost 400 receive additional services in the district. He also referenced an increase in classified students post-COVID and emphasized programmatic responses in special education and ELL supports.
On staffing, Dr. Sampson described natural attrition (retirements, leaves) and redeployment as primary tools to adjust staffing mixes; he cited roughly 15 retirements this year and estimated the district has about 700 FTEs with approximately 150 positions not covered by tenure protections. He said the district meets state-mandated staffing ratios for certain programs and that there is no single predetermined method for eliminating a position.
Board members asked clarifying questions about elective offerings and administration size. Dr. Sampson said art and music sections have been relatively stable (art around 40 sections; music in the low 20s) and that the district is 'relatively light administratively' compared with Westchester County peers; he offered to provide slides with specific numbers.
Dr. Sampson also summarized a memorandum of understanding with the Rye YMCA to pursue an NYSED after-school grant with a maximum award of $450,000 and discussed takeaways from a League of Innovative Schools trip to Seattle focused on workforce-pathway programming and paid internships with employers such as Boeing and Microsoft. He said the district will explore ways to expand internships for seniors in coming years.
The presentation concluded with a question-and-answer period; board members requested additional detail on administration counts and course offerings.
The board announced future meetings and adjourned.
