Superintendent Amy Green and district finance staff presented the school district's preliminary 2025'26 budget proposal to the Board of Education on March 6, focusing on administrative costs, benefits and a multi'year capital plan.

The presentation said proposed administrative spending is up about 9.3 percent and benefits are projected to rise by roughly 3.8 percent; capital spending was shown as up about 6.6 percent. "Foundation Aid continues to be an area where we're digging in and ensuring that Middletown is represented," district staff said during the presentation, noting the governor's executive proposal included a minimum 2 percent Foundation Aid increase.

Why it matters: district leaders told the board that contractual salary increases, state retirement contributions (ERS and TRS), and growing costs for high'need students and mandated services are driving much of the added expense. The proposal packages capital projects designed to maximize New York State building aid (the presentation cited an approximate 89.9 percent building aid rate), which the district said reduces net local cost for large projects.

Key capital items and next steps
- Twin Towers: district staff said a New York State facilities planning review recommended transferring $9.5 million into the district's capital reserve because the amount had not been moved into the project account after the 2021 authorization; staff said the money exists and the transfer would correct the funding allocation.
- Proposed projects (examples): a larger synthetic turf/multiuse field and perimeter track at Twin Towers; restroom upgrades, library/media reconfigurations and playground shade structures at multiple elementary schools (William A. Carter, Maple Hill, Monhagen); HVAC, auditorium and cafeteria upgrades at the high school; asbestos abatement and other health-and-safety work where needed.

District officials said many facilities have not had significant capital investment in two decades and that a strategic, multi'year approach is intended to capture the state building aid available. "For every dollar we spend we get back 89 cents," a district presenter said, explaining the aid calculation the board would weigh when deciding which projects to move forward to public vote and bonding.

Questions from board members and staff responses
Board members asked about timing, community outreach and how projects would be financed. Staff said proposals and final numbers will be presented at upcoming budget forums and that community sessions are scheduled through April and May, with the budget vote set for May 20. Mr. Bartlett, facilities staff, was present for construction questions and confirmed the projects had been reviewed with the district architect and facilities team.

No formal budget adoption occurred March 6; staff said further detailed cost estimates and financing plans will be returned to the board for approval prior to voter outreach and any bond authorization.

Provenance: Excerpted from the board meeting presentation beginning with the superintendent turning the meeting over to staff to begin the budget presentation and ending at the close of the capital discussion and Q&A.