The Newburgh Board of Education presented on Tuesday, December 12, the first informational presentation of the budget process for the 2024-2025 school year for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. Previously reported back in April, the district budget was approved at $335.4 million.

Beginning with district schools, Kimberly Rohring, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, stated to the board that each of the district buildings will receive a specific amount per student times the October 2023 Basic Education Data System (BEDS) enrollment. The funding amount allocated would vary, based upon elementary, middle and high school classifications. Funds for library materials will be allocated to the varying schools based upon state aid amount times October 2023 BEDS enrollment. The Office of Curriculum and Instruction will continue to manage the textbook funds for the district.

With staffing, the district is completing a staffing reconciliation process, and descriptive position titles introduced last year will continue to be used. All district retirements and positions supported by one- time funds are under review and are to be backfilled or moved to the district general fund. Staffing ratios and minimum course enrollments for electives would be established during the preparation process.

For the district’s departments, department and division leaders are going through a zero-based budget process at this time. Specific information for equipment needs, contracted services, cybersecurity, overtime, tuition for out of district placements, supplies for the office and buildings, custodial work and professional development are all being reviewed. According to Rohring, the district has had one-time federal funds supporting these areas, but these funds will conclude specifically in September 2024.

Requests beyond the building allocation are able to be made by the building principal, division and department leaders and can either be minor or can help support a student program or support the districts strategic plans and goals.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell, Assistant Superintendent Ed Forgit and Rohring had the opportunity to meet with community members on November 28 to receive their input on funding priorities for 2025. Takeaways from that meeting included the following: numeracy and literacy support from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade; support for transitions for 6th and 9th grade students; computer technology literacy; expanding career and technical education opportunities for students along with including career exploration opportunities for elementary and middle school students; focusing on life skills for students and reimaging Newburgh Basics.

Looking ahead, budget requests are due in December and would be compiled and reviewed by the district, along with review of district positions. Requests will be determined on priority upon funding availability, and the district is preparing an initial look for Fiscal Year 2025. Updates would be continued to be shared to the board and the overall district community through the process.