Middletown District Voters Pass $253 Million School Budget

A student waits at the building entrance of Middletown High School after dismissal in Middletown, N.Y., on Sept. 20,2022. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Middletown district voters on May 16 passed a school budget of more than $253 million by a 3 to 1 margin, according to the unofficial election results.

This year’s budget jumped by $25 million, or about 10 percent, from the past year, while the tax levy remains flat at $72 million.

The lion’s share of the budget increase, or $20 million, goes to instructional programs, especially the special education department, which expects to hire two dozen teaching assistants across the district and eight new teachers at elementary schools.

The rest of the budget bump, $5 million or so, covers the increasing administrative expenses, including the hiring of new administrators and new central data processing.

“The passing of our budget enables our school community to ensure all learners are prepared to thrive, pursue their passions, and contribute in dynamic ways to our thriving community,” Middletown School District Superintendent Amy Creeden said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

“Every decision we make is with the goal of adding value and making our community proud.”

Middletown School District Superintendent Amy Creeden demonstrates a Yondr pouch at a presentation to parents at Presidential Park Elementary School in Middletown, N.Y., on Feb. 7, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Much of the budget bump can be attributed to the rising foundation aid, which is expected to be fully funded by the state government for the first time in the coming year at $141 million. 

In each of the past three school years, the foundation aid was underfunded by between $20 million to $50 million, according to a budget presentation by the school administration in April. 

Last year, the district had a tax levy cut of $5 million. 

On May 16, about 737 people turned out at the three voting locations, and another 87 voted absentees. 

They also cast votes for the three open seats on the school board, which carry a term of three years. 

Out of five candidates on the ballot, Edwin Estrada, Freddie Williams Jr., and Curtis Rhett got the most votes, at 492, 478, and 421, respectively. 

Middletown School District enrolls about 7,200 students, with a cost per pupil of around $20,000, according to the latest New York State Education Department data. 

Port Jervis School Budget Vote 

In the nearby Port Jervis school district, voters passed a school budget of $90 million by a 4 to 1 margin.

This year’s budget jumped by $8 million, or 10 percent, compared to the past year, with the tax levy remaining flat at $29 million. 

Port Jervis Middle School is under renovation in Port Jervis, N.Y., on March 8, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

“Our community has always been great at supporting things that are good for kids. The voter turnout yesterday is another shining example,” Port Jervis District Superintendent John Bell said in a statement provided to The Epoch Times.

“The budget is full of wonderful things, including college courses in the high school increasing from 16 to 30, middle school honors classes increasing from two to six as well as new textbooks and new technology across all grades.”

Much like what happened in Middletown, the Port Jervis district budget increases are largely brought by the rising foundation aid from the state government.

Created in 2007, the foundation aid formula requires the consideration of school district income levels in state funding distribution. However, the state government hadn’t fully funded the program until a lawsuit by New Yorkers for Students’ Educational Rights compelled it to do so.

The settlement of the lawsuit in 2021 created a sharp increase of foundation aid money into low-income school districts over a period of three years, with the following year being the first year of full funding.

Four propositions were also passed by district voters along with the budget, including a $12 million capital project and the purchasing of 150 Pike St. for use as the district office at $1.7 million.

Three incumbents on the school board, Judy Amato, Nancy Dunn, and Bill Onofry, were reelected on the same day to a new three-year term.

Newcomer Michael Witt was elected to a one-year term on the board.

Port Jervis District enrolls about 2,370 students, with a cost per pupil of around $25,000, according to the latest New York State Education Department data.