District overview
Wappingers Central School District
How Wappingers Central School District is funded, governed and building for the next few years
How is the district funded?
Wappingers is a large, formula-funded New York district of about 10,500 students in 15 schools. About 59 percent of the 2026-27 budget comes from the local school tax levy and about 41 percent from state aid, grants and savings. New York limits how fast the levy can grow (the tax cap), and voters approve the budget every May. The district says it has stayed under the cap five years in a row.
Budget and tax levy
The 2026-27 budget is $336.9 million, up 4.87 percent from $321.2 million. The tax levy rises 2.59 percent to $197.7 million; the state cap was 2.62 percent.
Savings are being spent down
The district plans to use $14.97 million of its general fund balance in 2026-27 to hold down the levy. The auditor reported unassigned fund balance at 4.33 percent of next year's budget, slightly over the 4 percent legal limit and down from about 11 percent the year before.
State aid is uncertain until the state budget passes
The 2026-27 plan was built on the governor's proposal because the state budget was late. A $2.5 million state mental health grant ended and was not renewed.
If voters say no
A contingency budget of $315.7 million with a flat levy would have cut up to 73 positions. The 2026 budget passed with more than 70 percent support, according to trustees.
Who decides
A nine-member Board of Education elected at large each May sets policy and approves the budget. Members serve unpaid three-year terms. The board meets on Mondays about twice a month, with public comment at the start and end. Committees on policy, audit, capital improvements, curriculum, wellness and district-wide safety study issues and recommend action. Marie Johnson is board president for 2026-27.
Staying under the tax cap and using savings keeps taxes lower this year, but it does not by itself show that programs are fully funded; the district also lost grant money and is adding positions.
Where the district stands
Up 4.87 percent from $321.2 million in 2025-26.
Levy rises $5.0 million to $197.7 million; cap was 2.62 percent.
Superintendent's figure; the district later described 'nearly 10,000' students.
The district states this is the lowest in the county; the comparison is the district's own and is not independently checked.
District says second highest in the county.
154 buses, 96 vans, 11 SUVs; the district runs its own transportation department.
District-stated program component of about $265 million of $336.9 million; capital about $39 million; administration about 9.6 percent.
Major projects
2025 district-wide capital improvement project
Phase 1 under constructionVoters approved a project of about $153.8 million in May 2025 for additions, reconstruction, roofs, bathrooms, parking and athletic fields. Phase 1 (John Jay field, lecture rooms, roofs and bathrooms at several schools) was awarded to Butler Construction Group in May 2026 under a project labor agreement. Phase 2 plans include a 16-classroom addition at Van Wyck Junior High and additions at Wappingers Junior High.
- Voters approve the capital referendum
- Board awards Phase 1 contracts (general contract base bid $20,844,210)
- Summer construction begins at John Jay and several schools
- Board hears John Jay field work will run into the school year
Funding
Voter-approved capital referendum (bond), about $153.8 million
Smart Schools Bond Act funds ($584,960 left) are planned for fire alarms.
2026-27 budget and vehicle purchase
Approved by voters May 19, 2026A $336.9 million budget with a 2.59 percent levy increase and a $2.9 million proposition to buy 25 vehicles were presented for the May 19, 2026 vote; trustees reported the budget passed with over 70 percent support. The board authorized the vehicle bonds on July 1.
- Preliminary budget presented
- Ballot presentation
- Budget vote and board election
- Board authorizes $2,923,557 vehicle bonds
Funding
Local tax levy $197.7 million plus state aid, grants and $14.97 million fund balance
Myers Corners Elementary traffic safety
Interim steps chosen; long-term fix unfundedDrop-off and pick-up traffic backs up onto a county road. County public works does not recommend a roundabout or left-turn lane; a signal ($350,000-500,000) would work but is not funded. The district plans right-turn-only exit signs and will seek grants.
- Capital committee meets county legislator and principal
- Town and county officials review options
- County gives cost estimates
Funding
Not yet funded; grants being sought
District strategic planning
Community survey beginningThe superintendent said in September 2026 that a strategic planning committee has met since spring and that families will get an email survey on what the community values.
- Board hears strategic planning update
Funding
Not stated
Recent news
Figures marked verified come from the district's budget presentation, budget notice, board adopted budget book or board meeting recordings. Figures marked context are calculated or are district statements not repeated in a budget document.
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