2026-2027 Proposed Budget
The proposed 2026–2027 budget totals $53,812,226, reflecting a $1,263,815 (2.41%) increase over the current year. The plan is tax cap compliant, with a 2.38% tax levy increase, and is designed to maintain high-quality educational programming while managing rising costs and minimizing taxpayer impact.
The 2026–2027 proposed budget reflects a balanced approach that:
- Preserves and enhances student programming
- Addresses rising operational costs
- Invests in student support and district infrastructure
- Maintains fiscal responsibility within the tax cap
Visit the Budget Information page under the Business Office Department to see information from previous years' budgets.
Won't be here on May 19th to vote in person? Please use see our Voter Information page for your options.
Budget Priorities
The proposed budget is built around key district goals:
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Maintaining favorable class sizes
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Expanding academic programs, electives, and extracurricular opportunities
- Upholding student safety and security
- Supporting social-emotional and mental health needs
- Promoting efficiency through collaboration and resource sharing
Revenue Overview
- Property taxes account for approximately 85% of total revenue
- State aid is estimated to increase modestly by 1.08%
- The district continues to utilize fund balance and reserve funds to help maintain tax cap compliance
- Additional revenue sources include sales tax and interest income
Expenditure Highlights
Notable areas of investment include:
- Instruction and district-wide salaries (largest portion of the budget)
- Employee benefits, including rising health insurance costs (+8.77%)
- Special education, with a $476K increase (+8.26%), driven by student needs and outside placements
- Reallocation of a portion of budget funds from security back to the technology line and instructional support
Cost reductions or offsets include:
- Lower debt service payments due to the maturity of one bond in the 2025-26 school year
- Decreases in transportation due to the continuation of a shared agreed with the Mamaroneck School District
- Decreases in maintenance costs due to removal of one-time expenses in the 2025-26 school year budget
- Strategic reallocation of staffing for security responsibilities
Key Investments
- Addition of a psychologist/social worker to move the therapeutic support program in-house
- Implementation of a new elementary ELA curriculum, K-5
- Continued capital improvements made possible by maintaining the transfer to capital budget line, including HVAC, electrical, and facility upgrades
- Ongoing support for academic programs, extra-curricular activities, arts, and athletics
Enrollment
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Enrollment is projected to slightly decrease from 1,381 to 1,366 students
- The district remains committed to maintaining small class sizes and program quality.
Tax Impact
- Tax Levy Increase: +2.38% (at the tax cap, 15th year of tax cap compliance)
- Estimated tax rate changes:
- Rye Town: -4.85%
- Rye City: +1.84%
- In addition to the levy, changes in tax rates are influenced by property assessments and equalization rates
2026-2027 Budget Resources
May Budget Presentation
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April Budget Presentation
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Value Education
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2026 Board of Education Trustee Election: How Voting Works
This year, Rye Neck community voters will elect three members to the Board of Education:
- Two seats are for full 3-year terms (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029)
- One seat is for a shorter term (May 19, 2026 – June 30, 2027) to fill the vacancy due to the resignation of Trustee Nikki Barker
The three (3) candidates running are: Gabriella Danza, Erica Wagner, and Laurel Ryan.
How winners are determined:
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All candidates appear on the same ballot
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Voters may vote for up to three candidates
How terms are assigned:
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The candidate who receives the most votes chooses first which available term (seat) they want
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The candidate with the second-highest votes chooses next from the remaining terms
- The candidate with the third-highest votes is assigned the final remaining term
Key takeaway:
Your vote helps determine not only who is elected, but also impacts which term length each elected candidate receives.