Warwick Valley Voters Approve 2023-24 Budget

NEWS

Warwick Valley Voters Approve 2023-24 Budget

May 17, 2023
$109,140,179 budget addresses student education, safe learning environments and strong student supports while utilizing the restoration of full state foundation aid funding

WARWICK, NY – Tuesday, May 16, 2023 – Voters approved the Warwick Valley Central School District’s $109,140,179 budget proposal by a vote of 2,578 to 999. Additionally, voters approved a bus proposition and three community members were elected to the WVCSD Board of Education.

The 2023-24 approved budget includes a tax levy increase of 3.49%, which is below the state’s allowable tax cap. The average tax levy increase in Warwick over the past three years has been 0.74%, and this budget marks the eighth time in 12 years that the tax levy increase has remained below the tax cap. The District has never exceeded the tax cap.

“I would like to thank the community for supporting our 2023-24 budget, which will allow us to continue providing an outstanding educational experience for every Warwick student,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach. “Careful planning and a return to full state foundation aid funding for the first time in years have helped us preserve student opportunities while once again staying below the tax cap.”

“Thank you to my fellow Board of Education members and our administration, whose primary motivations are always the well-being of our students as well as the fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers,” said Board President Keith Parsons. “I would also like to extend my gratitude to our Warwick neighbors for recognizing the vital role that quality education and strong schools play in our community.”

Voters also considered a proposition to purchase five new buses – two 65-passenger propane buses and three 65-passenger gas buses – at a maximum cost of $830,000. The proposition passed by a vote of 2,474 to 1,092. The District will use $330,000 of its bus reserve fund toward the purchase. Of the total cost, $512,100, or 61.7%, will come back to the District in state transportation aid, meaning no additional taxes will be required for the transportation purchase at a net cost of approximately $500,000.

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

  • John Garcia (incumbent) – 2642 votes
  • Dory Masefield (incumbent) – 1985 votes
  • Robert Howe (incumbent) – 1980 votes
  • Angel Maysonet – 1491 votes
  • Adrienne Tveter – 1528 votes
  • Luis Abramson – 457 votes

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