The Newburgh Board of Education is reviewing and preparing the district budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with a proposed balanced budget to be presented on April 9. However, concerns have been raised about whether or not to raise the district tax levy and by what amount.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell shared a letter to the district community on Wednesday, March 20 on the budget and overall process going forward. “Small city school districts across New York State celebrated receiving full foundation aid just last year, only to have that same formula in jeopardy this year,” she said. “As of today, [March 20] the district is facing a $9.03 million gap for Fiscal Year 2025.”

“The district has not raised the tax levy for nine consecutive years. This means the total percent the district has collected from local taxpayers has not changed in that time. We are the only district in New York State that has been able to accomplish this. However, this has not come without its downside,” she continued. “If our district had increased the tax levy by just 1% each year over the last nine years our revenue, for the 24-25 fiscal year, would be over $10 million dollars higher than it is today. This approach has forced the district to make tough choices and factors into the challenging financial position we face today. The district will continue to work diligently to keep the tax levy as low as possible for our taxpayers while being able to provide the educational programs environment we believe our children deserve.”

“As the educational leader for our district, my priorities that will focus on this budget are: the literacy of all scholars, supports for our English Language Learners (18% of our scholars), and our Exceptional Learners (special education),” she continued. “I recognize that our human capital is our most valued resource to achieve those goals. As such, all contracts are settled with one currently in negotiations before it expires at the end of June.”

At the board meeting on March 19, Newburgh Assistant Superintendent of Finance Kimberly Rohring reported to the board that meetings with building principles have been completed to determine staffing needs for next year. An initial review of retirement notifications has been completed and initial staffing adjustments have been made, which are reflected in the budget presentation.

For this year’s budget, the office of the superintendent’s priorities are three-fold: literacy of all scholars particularly focusing on early literacy, support for the district’s English language learners and support for exceptional learners.

According to Rohring’s report, the projected revenue for the district for fiscal year 2025 is $350.9 million. The breakdown of this amount is $118.4 million from the local government, $224.3 million from the state government, $270,000 from the federal government and $7.9 million from the appropriated one time funds. The revenue amount for this year’s budget is $15.4 million larger than the previous year’s approved Fiscal Year 2023-2024 school year budget of 335.4 million.

In the budget presentation, revenue items such as local revenue include items such as the tax levy, PILOTs (payment in lieu of taxes), utility taxes, user fees and interest earnings. State revenue involves state aid including foundation aid, excess cost aid, categorical aids, high tax aid and transportation and building aid. Federal revenue includes funds such as medicaid reimbursement and appropriated one time revenue involves appropriated fund balance and restricted reserve amounts.

The district budget will go to vote on Tuesday, May 21 along with the Board of Education elections.