Bronxville Quality of Life Committee

A Message from the Trustees of the Board of Education

January 31, 2026 Recap

Your Board of Education held a Budget Workshop on Saturday, January 31.

Mr. Carlin, Asst. Supt for Business, reviewed enrollment, historical tax levies, staffing, and significant budget drivers.

The District has enjoyed a long period of low or no tax increases, thanks to conservative budgeting and careful cost management. However, inflation has grown at more than double the rate of our tax cap for several years, and the District has sustained multi-year significant increases in health insurance and transportation costs. Therefore, a meaningful increase, requiring an override of the tax cap (projected at 1.9%), is expected for the 2026-27 budget. The first draft of the 26-27 proposed budget projects a roughly 4% increase in spending; this is likely to increase additionally as more cost variables are known.

Enrollment is expected to continue at a slight decline, albeit not sufficiently in any one grade to warrant reduced staffing. Special Education and 504 program enrollment continues to rise, expected at 338 students in 2026-27 compared to 270 in 2022-23.

State aid is expected to increase from $3M to $3.2M next year. Most other non-tax revenue sources are expected to be flat or lower.

The current teacher contract runs through June 2027 and will include a 2% overall scale increase next year, along with an additional 1.6% increase as returning teachers move up the scale and an increase in the health insurance premium share to 22%.

Health insurance premiums will increase 9%, and Bronxville now insures 163 retirees and 147 active employees. Health insurance costs now consume 12.5% of Bronxville's total school budget, up from 9.2% ten years ago. The BOE and District leadership are actively exploring alternatives to the current plan in advance of the next negotiation, beginning January 2027.

Transportation costs are projected at $676K for 13 routes carrying 38 students in 26-27, more than twice the cost ten years ago of $308K for 15 routes. All routes are being evaluated for more efficient alternatives that still meet statutory and safety standards.

Interscholastic athletic costs, projected at $1.6M for 26-27, have grown over 5% annually over the last ten years, more than twice the rate of the overall school budget. More teams have been added than discontinued. Leadership will review for potential cost savings.

Leadership and the BOE had a discussion on reserves and other potential efficiencies that might help reduce the operating deficit.

Mr. Carlin will present a second draft of the 26-27 budget at the March 7 workshop, which is open to the public. The BOE's next regular meeting will take place on Thursday, February 26th, 2026; the public portion of this meeting starts at 7 PM.