The Newburgh Enlarged City School District’s 2024-2025 School Budget of $360.4 million was rejected by voters on Tuesday, May 21. The unofficial result count shared by the district clerk was 988 votes yes and 1106 votes no. 

The 24-25 district budget includes a tax levy of 3.8% ($4.2 million) for the upcoming school year. The district has not raised the tax levy since the 2016-2017 school year. The 24-25 budget amount is a $25 million (7.46%) increase from the previous year. 

The second proposition on the ballot, the Newburgh Free Library’s 2024-2025 Budget of $6.2 million passed at the end of the polling period with 1183 votes yes and 892 votes no.  

The board of education elections saw 13 candidates on the ballot. The list of candidates included first time candidates, candidates returning to serve on the board and several incumbents. Six seats became available this spring with two candidates up for reelection and the resignation of four board members in February. 

According to the district, placement on the board is based on the number of votes received and the six candidates who receive the most votes will receive terms. The candidate who receives the most votes will receive the longest term. The length of the term is based on the number of votes received, in descending order. The district clerk stated following the election that there is a five vote difference from the candidate who finished in 6 from the candidate that finished in 7. There are 28 affidavit ballots outstanding and the affidavit ballots will be counted on Thursday at 10 a.m.

The unofficial results of the elections are as follows: Christine Bello with 1150 votes; incumbent Philip Howard with 844 votes; Nabil Khan with 464 votes; Ray Harvey with 744 votes; Mackenzie Bousche with 867 votes; Tanika McCullough with 581votes; Victoria Bousche with 846 votes; Shadé Burks with 616 votes; Bob Capano with 690 votes;  Fred Stewart with 830 votes; Thomasina Bello with 853 votes; incumbent Mark Levinstein with 825 votes and Dennis Grant with 424 votes. 

During the board of education meeting on May 14, a question was raised from the board about what would happen if the budget were to be defeated on Tuesday night. 

Assistant Superintendent of Finance Kimberly Rohring clarified that if the public did not vote in favor of the budget, the district would move towards a contingent budget. “If the budget is to be defeated next Tuesday, the district will go to a contingent budget which means that we would reduce $4.2 million in expenditures because we cannot raise the tax levy without the voters authorization,” Rohring said. 

“Those reductions would include additional faculty and staff. It would include instructional materials and supplies. It would include reductions in general support to our instructional program,” Rohring continued. “It would include reductions in athletics and it would significantly decrease our equipment funds available for the next year so instructional and technology equipment as well as athletics equipment and operations and maintenance equipment.”