Garrison Proposes 2.27% Tax Levy Increase

By Holly Crocco

The Garrison Union Free School Board got its first look at the proposed $15.3 million budget for the 2026-27 school year during its March 4 meeting.

According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg Stowell, in drafting the budget, administration sought to stay within the state-mandated property tax cap, address infrastructure needs, maintain staffing levels, pilot new literacy programs, and invest in its proposed outdoor learning space – all while being mindful of taxes.

In addition to updating the building’s original 1908 façade, the district seeks to repair its playground ($100,000), and replace the scoreboard in the gymnasium ($7,500), as well as some outdoor soccer goals ($5,000).

“We want to not only repair and properly maintain the district’s facility and infrastructure, but you’ll see in this budget ways we want to enhance it as well,” he said. “Our primary playground is definitely end-of-life and needs to be repaired.”

The budget also supports existing and continuing environmental education programs, clubs and athletics, music electives, intervention supports, clinical services, special education programs, and more.

“In this budget, you’re going to see some new programs and initiatives that focus on innovation and learning,” said Stowell. “As you know we have a drama club, we have a podcasting club, we have a debate club – all new clubs this year, so we want to support that.”

Projected enrollment for next year is in line with the current year, with the elementary school predicting one section for each of the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, and third grades, with between 16 and 19 students per class. Grades two and four are projected to have two sections, each with about 14 to 16 students.

In the middle school, one section each of grades six, seven, and eight are expected to have between 17 and 22 students.

“We have no staffing changes projected,” explained Stowell.

School Business Administrator Joe Jimick noted that $40,000 is designated to offer Empowered Classrooms (eight classrooms at $5,000 each), and $249,000 will go toward BOCES services, along with $40,000 for wireless access points through BOCES.

The district’s total transportation expenses are estimated at $1.4 million, including $151,000 for special education transportation. While the district has been working with BOCES to come up with a regionalized transit system, plans are still in the development stage – but look promising, said Jimick.

About $10,000 will go toward continuing to offer the Youth Climate Summit, $25,000 for field trips, $30,000 for the Summer Scholars program, $54,000 for a special patrol office, $93,000 for the energy performance contract, and $49,500 for the school lunch program

“There were a lot of startup costs that we anticipated for the current year, and we won’t need them next year,” Jimick said of the lunch program. “It’s really been, so far, a win. I don’t think would have happened without a really good partner in Putnam Valley (Central School District).”

According to Jimick, the median taxpayer in the lower Hudson Valley pays 1.87 times as much school taxes per dollar of property market full value than a Garrison taxpayer does (out of 88 districts in five counties).

Garrison is tied for the lowest tax rate, with Pocantico Hills, at $8.48 per $1,000 of assessed value. Haverstraw is the highest, with a tax rate of $25.56 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The maximum the district may raise the tax levy is $264,000 – or 2.27 percent – to a total of $11.9 million. This equates to an increase of $14.83 per month for residents of Philipstown, or $8.24 a month in Putnam Valley.

There is about $648,000 worth of capital improvements – including development of an outdoor classroom – suggested in the budget. Rather than borrowing money, which could cost the district about $235,000 in interest over 15 years, administration suggests using $100,000 from debt services reserves to offset the increase in capital expenses, as well as using between $1.3 million and $1.5 million from reserves.

This would bring the district’s total reserves down to about $4 million.

Another budget presentation is scheduled March 18 at 7 p.m. in the Learning Commons, with a webinar scheduled March 21 at 10 a.m. A final presentation is scheduled April 8 at 7 p.m., and a budget hearing is scheduled May 6 at 7 p.m.

The budget vote and school board election is May 19 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the gymnasium.

School Board President Dan Jasnow said the budget is fair and balanced.

“Overall it’s a great reflection of the financial health of the district,” he said. “Under the tax cap – or at the tax cap – maintaining staffing levels, investing in some new programs… It’s a great testament to where we are and the leadership that both of you provide.”