Poughkeepsie Voters OK $136 Million 2023-24 Budget

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Voters in the Poughkeepsie City School District went to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve a budget for 2023-24.

The proposed spending plan of $136 million, which is 14.89 percent higher than the current budget, was approved 274 to 85, according to a district spokesman.

District officials said they were focused on a budget that provides funding for meaningful academic, social, emotional and wellness opportunities to all students while still being great stewards of the district's financial resources.

The tax levy is expected to rise just 2.15 percent, which is below the state's tax cap.

There were also three other propositions on the ballot in Poughkeepsie. Voters had to decide whether to allow the Board of Education to take up to $10 million from the district's 2022 Capital Reserve Fund for construction and renovations to district buildings; authorize the borrowing of up to $16 million for construction and renovations to district buildings; and authorize the establishment of a new capital reserve fund in an ultimate amount of $12 million. All three propositions were approved.

Two three-year terms on the Board of Education were up for election. Incumbents Thomas O'Neill and Bob Creedon ran unopposed.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser thanked the voters for their support.

“Our community’s support of Poughkeepsie City School District students is immeasurable,” he said. “By supporting the 2023-2-24 budget the community allows us to build upon the momentum and successes of our collective impact on student success.”