The Wallkill Board of Education has approved its proposed budget for the 2024-2025 school year, totaling $89.5 million with a proposed 2.47% tax levy increase. The proposed budget is set to be presented to the community at a public hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m. in the Wallkill Senior High School library.

The adoption of the proposed budget occurred during a special meeting held at Wallkill Senior High School’s auditorium on Tuesday, April 23. The approved $89.5 million budget marks a $4.0 million (4.68%) increase from the previous district budget.

According to district budget documents, Wallkill’s overall revenue comprises several sources. The estimated state aid proposed for the 2024-2025 academic year is $38.0 million, inclusive of new building aid for Phase I of the district’s capital project. Additionally, proposed appropriated fund balance amounts to $720,000, proposed appropriated reserves stand at $1.7 million, and proposed other source funds total $1.2 million.

The proposed tax levy for 2024-2025 amounts to $47.9 million (2.47%) and is expected to remain below the tax levy limit for the district. The district anticipates being $262,655 below the tax levy limit, having stayed below the cap since the 2021-2022 school year, as per district records.

In the upcoming school year, the district plans to introduce a new full-time school psychologist to cater to the needs of Wallkill students, with the estimated cost of the new position presented at $100,000 during the April 16 meeting at Leptondale Elementary School.

With the newly adopted budget, the district aims to uphold various aspects, including programs and extracurricular activities, all instructional/non-instructional positions, the current structure of the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program comprising 84 slots, and maintaining low class sizes, with an average projected class size of 20 students from kindergarten to sixth grade. The district also intends to pursue professional development opportunities, retain student support services and continue to station police officers in its five district buildings.

Previously, the district had proposed reducing the kindergarten to 8 after-school academic intervention service (AIS) program from a 20-week to a 10-week program due to the expiration of federal funds. However, the 20-week program is now slated to continue in the upcoming school year.

Wallkill Superintendent of Schools Kevin Castle provided an update on Foundation Aid, noting that Wallkill has received slightly over $200,000. Foundation Aid stands as the primary funding source for state public schools, with state aid figures recently becoming available following the adoption of the New York State budget at $237 billion.

Castle expressed gratitude for the continued support from both the board and the community, emphasizing the district’s commitment to a balanced approach that benefits both students and taxpayers. The annual budget vote and board of education election will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, with polling locations set at Wallkill Senior High School, Plattekill Elementary School, and Leptondale Elementary School.