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Rhinebeck proposes $52.48 million 2025–26 operating budget, stays within 2% tax cap
Summary
Rhinebeck’s draft 2025–26 operating budget totals $52,478,531, a 2.64% budget-to-budget increase and a tax-cap–compliant 2.37% levy change; administrators said reserves, state aid and modest savings in transportation helped avoid exceeding the 2% cap.
Rhinebeck school administrators presented a $52,478,531 operating budget for 2025–26 and said the plan remains compliant with New York State’s tax-cap calculation, producing a combined allowable levy increase the district reported as 2.37%.
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Carolyn Mahar said the budget-to-budget increase is 2.64% and that the district is using a combination of modest state aid increases, conservative interest estimates and transfers from reserve funds to meet obligations while staying within the cap. "We're looking at a budget to budget increase of 2.64%, and that includes a tax cap compliant budget," Mahar said.
Mahar outlined revenue drivers: a minimal increase in foundation aid (New York districts are guaranteed a minimum 2% increase on foundation aid), an estimated $25,000 bump in Westchester County sales tax receipts and cautious recognition of interest income amid fluctuating rates. To remain tax-cap compliant, the district plans to bring forward appropriate fund balance and transfers from three reserve funds, including a $150,000 debt-service reserve (from closed capital projects) and a $100,000 teachers' retirement system reserve.
On the expense side administrators flagged health insurance and retirement contributions as primary cost drivers. Mahar said benefit cost increases are the largest mover and explained several budget line adjustments: a staff salary was reclassified to supervision/security after role changes, and $100,000 of an in-house therapeutic support allocation was reclassified to psychology—reducing the special-education line while increasing counseling/psychology services. Salaries make up just under $26 million of the budget and are budgeted about 3% higher year over year.
Technology and transportation were also addressed. Mahar said technology costs (educational software, services and equipment) have risen, while transportation costs have declined after a shared-routing agreement with neighboring districts. The board is maintaining transfers to capital to fund projects without bonding; Mahar cited a previously funded parking-lot project and said the district expects to begin a high-school security vestibule project in summer 2025 and will use reserves and transfers for campus electrical upgrades if needed.
Administrators noted enrollment remains broadly stable after a Western Suffolk BOCES study and projected a net reduction of two full-time-equivalent positions for 2025–26 because current enrollments do not require new positions. A board questioner asked about an apparent drop in high-school headcount; presenters attributed much of the percent change to a previously unusually large cohort shrinking from 172 to about 152 and to broader demographic trends, including lower birth rates and housing-market effects.
The board has scheduled additional budget discussions (March 19, April 22 and a May 7 session at Daniel Warren) ahead of the May 20 statewide budget vote and trustee elections. The administration said more-detailed slides and supporting documents will be posted on the district budget web page as the budget is finalized.
