Budget Information

Warwick Valley Voters Approve 2025-26 Budget

Voters have approved the Warwick Valley Central School District’s $119,137,197 budget proposal by an unofficial vote of 1,013 to 325, a 75.7% approval. Additionally, voters approved a bus proposition, and three community members were elected to the WVCSD Board of Education.

The approved 2025-26 budget includes a tax levy increase of 2.59%, which aligns with the states allowable tax cap for this year. The district has kept the annual tax levy increase at or below the state's allowable tax cap each of the last 13 years and has never exceeded it.

“I would like to thank the community for coming out in support of the 2025-26 budget,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach. “The budget manages to tackle prevailing economic concerns while maintaining all current programs and staffing.”

“I am deeply thankful to our community for their continued support. Your trust enables us to uphold our promise of educational excellence,” stated Keith Parsons, President of the WVCSD Board of Education. “Additionally, my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to my fellow board members and our outstanding district administration. Their attention and hard work led to a budget that is fiscally prudent while delivering top-tier learning experiences for every Warwick student.”

Voters also considered a proposition to purchase five buses for the Transportation Department – two 65-passenger propane buses, two 65-passenger electric buses, and one 65-passenger diesel-powered bus – at a maximum cost of $990,392. The proposition passed by a vote of 948 to 387, an approval of 71%. The district will use $364,464 of its bus reserve fund to help offset the cost. Of the total cost, $625,928, or 63.2%, is expected to be returned to the district in the form of state transportation aid. No additional taxes are required to purchase the buses at a net cost of approximately $364,464.

Four candidates, including three incumbents, ran for three open Board of Education seats. The three receiving the most votes will serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2025.

● Keith Parsons (i) – 1,022votes

● Paul R. Eagleston – 474 votes

● Daniel Mahoney (i) – 926 votes

● Thomas E. Maslanka (i) – 953 votes

i = incumbent

2025-26 BUDGET CALENDAR

Important Dates

Important Dates

Thursday, February 6, 2025
Board of Education Meeting –Budget Process Website #1
Demographic Study – Budget Update #2

Thursday, February 27, 2025
Board of Education Work Session – Budget #3 – Projected Revenues, Payroll, Benefits, Budget and Transportation

Thursday, March 6, 2025
Board of Education Meeting – Transportation #4
Budget Update #5

Thursday, March 20, 2025
Board of Education Work Session – Budget #6 – Revenue Update with Expenditures

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 & Friday, April 4, 2025
First Legal Advertisement for Budget Vote (45 days prior to vote)
Dispatch (Wed)
Advertiser (Fri)

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 & Friday, April 18, 2025
Second Legal Advertisement for Budget Vote
Dispatch (Wed)
Advertiser (Fri)

Thursday, April 24, 2025
Board of Education Meeting – Budget Update #7 – Overview, Adoption of Budget and Property Tax Report Card (submit Property Tax Report Card no later than 24 days before annual budget vote)

Friday, April 25, 2025
Distribution of Property Tax Report Card within 24 hours of Budget Adoption but no later than 24 days prior to statewide voting day; Public Budget Document ready for duplication by Business Office

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 & Friday, May 2, 2025
Third Legal Advertisement for Budget Vote
Dispatch (Wed)
Advertiser (Fri)

Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Newsletter Back fromWarwick Press

Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Public Budget Document available at District schools/buildings, AW Library and on website

Thursday, May 8, 2025
Public Hearing – Budget #8
(7-14 days prior to vote)

Friday, May 9, 2025
Mail “School Budget Notice” to all qualified voters (after Public Hearing and at least 6 days prior to vote)

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 & Friday, May 16, 2025
Fourth Legal Advertisement for Budget Vote
Dispatch (Wed)
Advertiser (Fri)

Tuesday, May 20, 2025
BUDGET VOTE

2025-26 BUDGET PRESENTATIONS

February 6, 2026

February 27, 2026

March 6, 2026

March 20, 2026

April 24, 2026

May 8, 2026

2025-26 Budget Newsletter

Page 1

Download an accessible PDF version of the budget newsletter using this link.

PAGE 1

On Tuesday, May 20, Warwick Valley Central School District residents will vote on a proposed
$119,137,197 budget for the 2025-26 school year.

The budget includes a tax levy increase of 2.59%, which aligns with the states allowable tax cap for this year. The district has kept the annual tax levy increase at or below the states allowable tax cap each of the last 13 years and has never exceeded it.

The proposed budget increases spending by 3.45%, or $3,975,739, over the current school year. The increase is primarily driven by contractual obligations for salaries and benefits, inflationary costs for goods and services, and rising expenses for BOCES services. Additional challenges include lower than anticipated state foundation aid and an increase in BOCES capital expenditures, which place financial pressure on the district.

"Our budget for the 2025-26 school year continues the Warwick tradition of delivering high-quality education for students, maintaining appropriate class sizes, supporting vibrant school programs, and providing resources for school safety, mental health and special education," said
Superintendent Dr. David Leach. "We are always appreciative of our community's support as we continue to pursue these common goals."

Unfunded and underfunded state mandates remain a significant challenge, as they impose additional demands on the district without providing corresponding financial support.

Despite these challenges, the district remains committed to offering creative and rigorous programming for students and to integrating the Warwick Portrait of a Graduate characteristics throughout its programs and classrooms.

"We are once again proud to present this budget to our voters, Board President Keith Parsons
said. Each year, we work diligently to balance the Districts budgetary goals -- preserving student
opportunities while remaining fiscally responsible on behalf of our taxpayers. I believe we have again developed a solid spending plan with a minimal increase to the tax levy.

WVCSD BUDGET VOTE IS ON MAY 20, 2026 | 7 AM - 9 PM

PROPOSED BUDGET

Amount: $119,137,197
Tax Levy Increase: 2.59%
Avg. Tax Levy Increase (last 10 years): 1.81%

POLLING PLACES

District 1: Pine Island Firehouse
District 2: Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center (District Office)
Kings School

BUS PROPOSITION

Purchase five school buses with no additional tax increase needed because 63.2% of the cost will be reimbursed in state transportation aid.

BOARD OF ED ELECTION

Voters will elect 3 candidates, listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot:

Keith Parsons (i)
Paul R. Eagleston
Daniel Mahoney (i)
Thomas E. Maslanka (i)
i = incumbent

Page 2

PAGE 2

THREE-PART BUDGET

Program Costs (78.94%): Include salaries and benefits for all certified faculty and staff, teacher aides, monitors and nurses as well as in-service training, library costs, transportation,
co-curricular programs and interscholastic athletics.

Administrative Costs (11.45%): Include salaries and benefits for all professional staff members who spend 50% or more of their time in administration, finance and supervision. This portion also includes clerical staff, public information, curriculum development and supervision, research, planning and evaluation, legal services and school board-related costs.

Capital Costs (9.61%): Include operations and maintenance, security, budgeted capital projects, tax refunds, principal and interest on debt and installment purchases and leases.

For a comprehensive breakdown download the accessible newsletter PDF using this link.

Graphic includes same content as page copy, including year-to-year differences in Program, Administrative, and Capital costs of $3.3 million, 597,000, and 40,901 respectively.

PROJECTED REVENUES

School Tax Levy: 59.33%
State Aid: 33.21%
Local Sources: 4.44%
Other: 3.02%

pie chart visually represents the revenue percentages from four sources: school tax levy at 59%, state aid at 33%, local sources of 4% and other sources at 3%

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES

Instruction: 57.88%
Benefits, Debt Service: 26.35%
Transportation: 6.07%
General Support: 9.70%

pie chart shows expenditure percentages in four areas: instruction at 57%, transportation at 6%, benefits and debt service at 26% and general support at 9%

For a comprehensive breakdown of revenues and expenditures, download the accessible PDF budget newsletter using this link.

Page 3

PAGE 3

HIGH PERFORMANCE: ACADEMICS AND ECONOMICS

The Warwick Valley Central School District provides an educational value that is unmatched in the region. The District ranks at or near the top in several statistical performance categories reflecting both academics and cost savings.

This is a full view of page three. All information is included in the copy on this webpage.

TOP GRADUATION RATES IN ORANGE COUNTY

97.6%... #1 among Orange County school districts in the graduation rate of general education students for the 2023-24 school year.

84%... #2 among Orange County school districts in the graduation rate of special education students for the 2023-24 school year.

#1 POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT RATE
Warwick Valley CSD ranks first among 45 school districts in the Mid-Hudson region with at least 150 graduates with an 83% post-secondary enrollment rate.

#1 IN AVERAGE NUMBER OF AP COURSES
The 2023-24 average number of AP courses per grade 12 student was 1.61 in the Warwick Valley CSD. This value is the number of AP courses taken by grade 12 students divided by
grade 12 enrollment.

#1 IN NEW YORK REGENTS EXAM RESULTS
Warwick Valley CSD is the overall top performing school district in Orange County in New York State Regents Exam results.

BUS PROPOSAL

PURCHASE OF 5 SCHOOL BUSES
Voters will also consider a proposition to purchase five buses for the Transportation Department at a maximum cost of $990,392.

The District would use $364,464 of its bus reserve fund to help offset the cost. Of the total cost, $625,928, or 63.2%, is expected to be returned to the District in the form of state transportation aid.

As a result, no additional taxes would be required to purchase the buses at a net cost of approximately $364,464. The proposed purchase includes two 65-passenger propane buses, two 65-passenger electric buses and one 65-passenger diesel-powered bus.

Bus Purchase (max cost): $990,392
Reserve: $364,464
Net Cost (financed): $364,464
Transportation Aid (63.2%): $625,928
Additional Tax Increase: $0

warwick valley student practices archery under the supervision of archery teacher

TAX LEVY YEAR-To-year

The proposed budget includes a tax levy increase of 2.59%, which aligns with the states allowable tax cap for this year. The district has kept the annual tax levy increase at or below the states allowable tax cap each of the last 13 years and has never exceeded it.

Fever chart indicates tax levy changes over past 28 years, with a high in 200 and 2001 of 18%, and three years of decreases. This year the tax levy increase is 2.59%

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE BUDGET IS NOT APPROVED?

Should voters not approve the proposed budget, the District has the option to place it -- or a revised version -- before voters a second time. If the budget fails again, or if the District chooses not to hold a second vote, state law requires adoption of a contingency budget, which sets spending at a predetermined level. For the 2025-26 school year, an additional $402,309
in non-mandated expenses would need to be cut, which may include certain field trips, school clubs, modified sports, new equipment, supplies and enrichment programs.

Late buses, non-essential maintenance, electives, community use of facilities and class sizes could also be some of the items impacted.

Page 4

PAGE 4

2025-2026 BUDGET VOTE

Tuesday, May 20, 2025
7 am - 9 pm

ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Absentee ballots are available for voters who are unable to vote in person due to illness, physical disability, hospitalization or travel. An Absentee Ballot Application must be completed
in order to receive an absentee ballot.

To request your ballot application, contact District Clerk Susan Laroe (slaroe@wvcsd.org) or (845) 987-3000, ext. 10511.

If mailed to you, your application must be received by May 12. If you plan to pick up an application and ballot in person you may do so until May 19. Absentee ballots must be
returned to the District Office by 5 pm on May 20.

EARLY MAIL VOTER BALLOTS
Early mail voter ballots are available for registered and qualified voters who would like to vote early. An Early Mail Voter Ballot Application must be completed in order to receive an early mail voter ballot. To request your ballot application, contact District Clerk Susan Laroe (slaroe@wvcsd.org) or (845) 987-3000, ext. 10511.

If mailed to you, your application must be received by May 12. If you plan to pick up an
application and ballot in person you may do so until May 19. Early Mail Voter Ballots must be
returned to the District Office by 5 pm, May 20.

WVCSD BUDGET NOTICE

The table below is a breakdown of the proposed 2025-26 budget. The table is available as Page 4 of this accessible PDF version of the budget newsletter.

Table shows breakout of proposed budget details covered on this page. The table is also available in an accessible PDF.

Download an accessible PDF version of the budget newsletter using this link.

MEET THE BOARD CANDIDATES: WTBQ RADIO BROADCAST

Listen to this special edition of Your Schools, with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. David Leach, and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Ms. Cindy Leandro.

In this rebroadcast from May 12 on WTBQ Radio, Dr. Leach and Ms. Leandro are joined by the four candidates running for three positions on the WVCSD Board of Education.

The board election and 2025-26 budget vote are coming up on Tuesday, May 20. This conversational style roundtable is an excellent way to get to know these candidates.

VOTING INFORMTAION

Ballot Information

Absentee Ballot Information

If you plan to cast your vote on this year’s budget by absentee ballot, you must request your ballot by using the latest NYS Board of Elections absentee ballot application. This application can be downloaded here to print, fill out and return. The downloadable document includes important eligibility requirements, instructions on returning your ballot and deadlines.

Note: This application may only be used for school district elections by qualified voters who reside in a school district that provides for personal registration of voters. If the application requests the absentee ballot be mailed, the application must be received by the district clerk not later than 7 days before the election for which the absentee ballot is sought. Otherwise, the application may be personally delivered to the district clerk not later than the day before the election. Applications may not be submitted more than 30 days prior to the election. If you are qualified for absentee voting and issued an absentee ballot, the ballot itself must be received by the school district clerk by 5 p.m. on the day of the election in order to be canvassed.

Early Mail Ballot Information

(For School District Elections, Budget Votes and Referenda)

This application may be downloaded here used for any school election at which early vote by mail is authorized by law. If the application requests the early mail ballot to be mailed, the application must be received by the district clerk not later than 7 days before the election for which the early mail ballot is sought. Otherwise, the application may be personally delivered to the district clerk not later than the day before the election. Applications may not be submitted more than 30 days prior to the election. If you are qualified for early mail voting and issued an early mail ballot, he ballot itself must be received by the school district clerk by 5 p.m. on the day of the election in order to be canvassed.

MILITARY MAIL BALLOT

This application can be downloaded here to print, fill out and return.

School Tax Information

Tax rates for each municipality within the district are set each August. They are based on the tax levy for the year and final municipal assessments for each of the towns. Tax rates vary between towns because property in each is assessed at different levels in relation to full market value. The state assigns each town an equalization rate to fairly divide the tax levy between the towns. The district does not control any part of the assessment or equalization process.

Town of Warwick: $165.81 per $1,000 of assessed value
Town of Chester: $39.38 per $1,000 of assessed value

Warwick's Tax Levy History & Info

Tax Levy History

2024-25 – 3.49%
2023-24 – 3.49%
2022-23 – (0.37%)
2021-22 – 0.00%
2020-21 – 2.60%
2019-20 – 2.69%
2018-19 – 2.95%
2017-18 – 1.80%
2016-17 – 0.00%
2015-16 – 1.41%
2014-15 – 1.73%
2013-14 – 3.37%
2012-13 – 2.72%
2011-12 – 3.67%
2010-11 – 3.07%
- Last 5 Years – 1.84%
- Last 8 Years – 2.08%
- Last 10 Years – 1.81%
- Last 20 Years – 2.28%

Tax Levy Limits

The tax levy limit is the highest allowable tax levy (before exemptions) that a school district can propose as part of its annual budget for which a simple majority of voters (50 percent + 1) would be required for authorization. Any proposed tax levy amount above this limit would require budget approval by a supermajority (60 percent or more) of voters. The tax levy limit sets a threshold requiring districts to obtain a higher level of community support for a proposed tax levy above a certain amount.