The Poughkeepsie City School District presented to its Board of Education last week a $156.91 million budget proposal for the 2026-27 academic year that remains under the tax cap and maintains services despite economic challenges.
The Board, at a special meeting April 21, will vote on whether to put the budget proposal forth to residents for their approval. The annual district budget and Board of Education election vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19.
The district’s full budget presentation is available to read online.
The proposal represents a continued investment in the district’s upward trajectory, providing programs and services to support all ages, from after-school and performing arts enrichment programs, to the elementary bus service implemented this school year, to the continually growing dual-language program, to early college and career training opportunities and social and emotional support for students of all needs and abilities.
The budget draft would be a 6.28% increase over this year’s spending plan and an increase in the tax levy by 4.21%. That equates to an increase of roughly $172 for the year for the average property. Actual tax increase depends on New York State actualization rates.
The district arrived at its proposal after reviewing staffing salaries and benefit costs, class sizes, program needs and departmental budgets, debt service, and revenue and expenditure predictions. Challenges to keeping the plan under the tax cap included the rising expenses for essential needs that everyone is currently feeling, increases in fixed costs, and the cost of maintaining several programs that saw grants and other short-term aid expire.
To balance the budget, the district will use $7 million in restricted fund balance and $2 million in unrestricted fund balance. The district remains with roughly $37.4 million in combined fund balance.
No jobs would be eliminated in the budget plan and no program would be ended for economic reasons. However, the district will continue evaluating each of its programs to focus on those that are the most needed and effective.
“We’re not talking about any cuts,” Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott said. “We’re talking about resource reallocation. We’re going to analyze every program going into the 2026-27 school year to determine the programs that make the most positive impact on student outcomes.”
The district’s official budget hearing is scheduled for the May 6 Board of Education meeting.