CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Spring 2024 Budget News Message from the Superintendent and Board President Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Community Members, Elevating Student Success continues to be the core focus of the Poughkeepsie City School District. Through an evidenced-based approach that involves collaboration between school, home and community, and the district’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, remarkable things are happening every day throughout the Poughkeepsie City School District. From student stage and theatrical performances to all elementary schools being designated as “Good Standing” this year, there are truly exciting things occurring in the Poughkeepsie City School District that demonstrate student success is being elevated. This newsletter contains examples of the district’s achievements in elevating student success, the proposed Poughkeepsie City School District 2024-2025 budget, profiles of our valedictorian and salutatorian, and information about our Pathways Transformation Initiative, Community Schools Initiative, Arts Education programming and the Strong Schools Equal Strong Communities Capital Improvement Project. Please take the opportunity to thoroughly review the contents of this document to learn more about the great things transpiring throughout the district so that you are optimally prepared to vote on May 21, 2024. To obtain additional information on the district’s 2020-2024 milestone achievements visit: https://bit.ly/PCSDAccomplishments Yours in Education, Dr. Eric Jay Rosser Superintendent of Schools Thomas O’Neill, Esq. Board President TOGETHER, we can and we will be Champions of Poughkeepsie City School District children. Versión en español disponible Escanee el Código QR para ver el Boletín de Presupuesto para el año 2024-2025. www.poughkeepsieschools.org VOTE May 21, 2024 Pg 2 - Valedictorian and Salutatorian Pg 3 - Community Schools Pg 4 - Selected Milestones Pg 5 - Transformation Pathway Pg 6 - Budget Summary Pg 7 - Budget Information Pgs 8 9 - Budget Notice Pg 10 - Capital Project Update Pg 11 - Arts in Education Pg 12 - Board of Education Member Voting
Valedictorian aims to become educator, researcher When Olivia Groucher made the choice to reclassify and graduate Poughkeepsie High School a year earlier than planned, it wasn’t to get away from academics. On the contrary, Groucher not only dreams of becoming an educator herself, but aims to make learning easier for others in the future. “Not everyone learns the same,” said Groucher. “I want to double major in psychology and education, and then do educational psychology and study how people learn and effective ways to help them learn. Kind of figure out ways to teach different aspects.” further informed her decision to pursue education. In the program Marist students come to Poughkeepsie to provide mentorship and Poughkeepsie students have the opportunity to visit Marist’s campus for programs. Groucher said she would talk to the students about their internships or see what they were working on in class. “Everything always intrigued me,” she said. “I always wanted them to tell me more.” Recently, Sister 2 Sister took on a mentorship role itself for the newly formed group at Clinton Elementary, Sisters of Steel. The high schoolers have visited the younger students to speak with them and helped create a lesson plan to foster a sense of belonging. Takiyah Ingram, Class of 2025 school counselor and faculty advisor for Sister 2 Sister said Groucher “looks Though she was a member of the Class of 2025 this time like a natural” teaching the Clinton girls. “I support her 100% with whatever she wants to be,” Ingram said. a year ago, Groucher will wear her cap and gown this “She’s going to be phenomenal.” June as the Class of 2024’s valedictorian. It’s an honor Groucher says she didn’t pursue or expect – “there’s a Temple University is Groucher’s top choice for next year, lot of smart people in the class,” she said. though as of April she hadn’t committed to a school. She Groucher has been a part of the Sister 2 Sister female empowerment group, the Multicultural Club and the Marist College Liberty Partnerships Program, which likes Temple’s research opportunities and the networking possibilities of its Philadelphia location. “I want to learn things I don’t have the answers to,” she said. Salutatorian cherishes friends made after moving from Ghana The plan was always for Abass Na-aata to leave Ghana for the United States to focus on his education. Poughkeepsie High School’s 2024 class. “I just wanted to do good in high school,” he said of his initial goals. That changed, slightly, after learning he was at the top of his class after sophomore year. “I was really happy. I tried my best after that.” the museum taking pictures and having fun with friends, as “one of the best days I had at this school.” A member of the JROTC since junior year, he said “the students themselves” are why he loves the club. “There’s a community.” He also competed on varsity soccer and track Na-aata was born in the Bronx but The onset of the COVID-19 moved to Ghana at a young age and and field, running mid-distances, mostly, and took part in My Brother’s spent his entire childhood in the pandemic Keeper, Debate Club and the African nation. accelerated Pioneer Post. that plan. Na-aata’s goal has long been to “COVID become a corporate lawyer, though Na-aata has two important aspects figured out for his salutatorian lately he’s considered becoming an really affected Ghana’s educational address: “I don’t really want to give system,” Na-aata said. “My Dad said investment banker, inspired in part a long speech,” he said with a laugh. by enjoying his economics class. I should move to get a head start “Max 5 minutes. I don’t want to keep He’s looking to attend either over here.” everybody long.” Cornell, NYU or Vanderbilt. Na-aata’s parents “knew education Some of Na-aata’s most cherished More importantly, “I’m going to say was the main thing,” he said. “My high school memories revolve around thanks to everybody who helped Dad would always take me to extra classes.” Roughly three years after friends and the connections he made. me,” he said. “There were people here who added to the experience. arriving in the U.S., Na-aata learned He described a field trip to Ellis I can’t forget them. They’ll always Island last year, in which he walked he would be the salutatorian for be with me.” 2 www.poughkeepsieschools.org
Community Schools In February, the Poughkeepsie City School District began utilizing “EveryDay Intervention,” an evidence-based program that monitors attendance data and sends students and their families an escalating level of reminders and support to get students back on track. It’s the latest measure the district has taken to reduce chronic absenteeism, a priority for the administration under Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser. The funding for the partnership with EveryDay Labs came as part of a $2.5 million federal grant the district acquired as part of its Community Schools program. Since 2020, all district schools have been designated Community Schools. They serve as focal points of their communities, bringing together school and community resources, parents, students and staff to elevate student success and create stronger families and healthier communities. Community Schools can be found nationwide, helping to facilitate a holistic approach to child development that will better guarantee that children will find success in school and out of school. PCSD Community Schools focus on helping our future and youngest students with pre-natal and preschool programs, providing integrated student and family supports for all ages, engaging community and families and offering expanded and enriched learning opportunities. Among the many Community School offerings are: • Parent Empowerment Center - a one-stop shop for parents and caregivers who need help navigating the school district, learning strategies to support their children, job readiness, voter registration, computer/internet access and more. • Extended learning opportunities. (before and after school, and on Saturdays) • Arts and music programming in every school. • Full-time school librarians in every school. • Social workers in every school. • Crisis intervention specialists in every school. • Mental health clinics located in the middle and high schools. • 1:1 Instructional devices to students and instructional staff. • Community School liaisons to increase new – and cultivate existing – community partnerships and parental engagement. • Parent supports and free workshops and credentialing classes. • Online-age and developmentally-appropriate literacy resources. • Family events district wide and at individual schools. • Partnerships with an array of community organizations and stakeholders interested in the positive youth development. PCSD announced the $2.5 million, five-year FullService Community Schools grant in November; it was one of 30 recipients across the country. In addition to EveryDay Labs, programs earmarked for funding from the grant included: • Afterschool programming focusing on academic enrichment. • Implementation of the Poughkeepsie Basics, evidence-based practices for promoting early childhood development into routine family engagement efforts. • AmeriCorps programs in which local residents are trained to tutor students in grades Pre-K to 3. • The City Connects program, which creates an individualized success plan for each student to address the out-of-school factors that impact learning. To learn more about Community Schools and the programs available scan the QR code. www.poughkeepsieschools.org 3
The hard work of district/building leaders, faculty, staff, students, parents and community members has resulted in demonstrable improvements across the district since 2019. Accomplishments have been achieved through an unrelenting commitment to the goal of providing innovative, high-quality educational opportunities that prepare all students to embark on individual paths of success in a globally diverse community. The following are summaries of achievements made in areas that support student achievement: Elevating Student Success The district is seeing great gains in student achievement throughout all elementary schools. The impact of the district’s five-year strategic plan has resulted in the state Department of Education designating all Poughkeepsie elementary schools as being in “Good Standing” for the first time in thirteen years. Parent Empowerment, Education and Engagement Parent empowerment, education and engagement has increased throughout the district, resulting in all elementary schools establishing functional PTAs and parent involvement increasing. The district’s Parent Empowerment Center continues to offer workshops that empower parents in their roles as partners in the education of their children. A partnership with Dutchess Community College has resulted in parents being provided adult education courses within the district. Community Engagement and Partnerships The district’s Community Schools Initiative and commitment to employing a school, home and community approach to addressing the holistic needs of Poughkeepsie children is yielding greater and more meaningful partnerships with community-based organizations, businesses and institutions of higher education. Fiscal Responsibility and Stability PSCD continues to earn good marks on its internal and external audits, erasing years of audit findings that brought into question the district’s fiscal responsibility. Eliminating a long-standing fiscal structural deficit a few years ago, the district has been able to appropriate resources to reserve funds to minimize future tax increases. The district has also been active in seeking state and federal grants to support advancing student achievement. Since 2021, the district has captured more than $11 million in competitive grant funding. Organizational Effectiveness Through a continuous focus on improvement and process, each year the Poughkeepsie City School District strengthens its effectiveness as an organization. For the past several years, Board of Education policies have been updated, accountability systems have been improved and the fiscal performance of the district has steadily increased. Developing Effective and Sustainable Leadership Through restructuring central office supports, equity fixes in leadership compensation and professional learning opportunities, PCSD has attracted and retained more qualified district and building leaders equipped to support student learning throughout all district schools. Developing 21st Century Learning Environments Under the Strong schools Equal Strong Communities Capital Improvement Project, the district continues to upgrade its learning facilities and transform educational spaces to reflect the 21st- century learner. In the near future each elementary school will be outfitted with Innovation Labs that will provide learning spaces where innovative academic lessons and career readiness will be the focus. In 2025, both the middle and high schools will also be outfitted with Innovation Labs. 4 www.poughkeepsieschools.org
Transformation Pathways Initiative Countless students graduate from high schools across the country with knowledge of math, science, language and history, but little practical training relating directly to the field in which they plan to pursue a career. Many do not receive the hands-on experience needed to learn if the profession is right for them before they are paying for a college or trade school and any decision to start over in a different field becomes more costly. The Poughkeepsie City School District aims to change this reality with its Transformation Pathways Initiative. As the next step in the district’s focus on college and career readiness, Poughkeepsie is offering its high school students training in specialized fields so they can better understand what the profession entails and gain the skills needed to excel in higher education. For some of these areas a graduation pathway will be offered, elevating the classes from electives to core learning that would replace the need to pass one of their Regents exams, and some will include a certification element to allow a student to work right out of high school. The district has plans to offer six pathways by the 2025-26 year: Already instituted: Visual Arts (started 2022-23) Computer Science (2023-24) Starting 2024-25: Health Sciences and Business Starting 2025-26: Communications and Education Each of the six areas were chosen following a community survey. “We’re not only preparing them for college by the rigor and instruction, but we’re also preparing them for a career,” said Dr. Charles Gallo, assistant superintendent for secondary education. An Individual Arts Assessment Pathway, or IAAP, would take the place of one of the students’ five required Regents certifications to graduate. The district is working to get its Computer Science Pathway a Career and Technical Education certification from the state, which would do the same as soon as the 2024-25 school year. Some of the courses included in the pathways already exist as electives at the high school, while others, such as the broadly applicable skill of public speaking, will be created. A full pathway will include three credits of classes; some are half-year classes worth a half-credit, others are full-year classes. Students can still take any class as a standalone elective. What these pathways do is offer exploration,” said Dr. Janety Encarnacion, Director of College Readiness and Workforce Education, “and more employability skills, technical skills, and soft skills. They will come out of high school better prepared for post-secondary success.” The district also aims to add more high school electives to the middle school, to free time for high school students to take more career-based learning. The Health Sciences pathway is looking into partnerships with other local educational agencies to include a Certified Nursing Assistant program, which equips students with the certifications necessary to fill positions at some healthcare facilities immediately. For a look at PCSD’s milestone accomplishments scan the QR code. www.poughkeepsieschools.org 5
The 2024-2025 Budget The Poughkeepsie City School District is pleased to present a budget that supports the continued growth of the Poughkeepsie City School District’s focus on advancing student achievement and positive youth development. In reviewing this budget newsletter it is clear how our continued efforts squarely place student performance and preparation for future success at the center of our work. Budget Summary Budget Highlights The 2024-25 proposed district budget maintains adequate levels of school-based administration, teachers and staff to support the forward momentum of student achievement. The 2024-25 budget reflects investments in: • Prekindergarten Expansion • PreK – 12 Literacy • High-Quality Instructional Materials • Arts and Music Education • Pathway Transformation Opportunities • Social and Emotional Learning • Teacher and Leader Professional Learning and Supports • Equity Fixes (Staff and Student) Budget Adopted for the 2023-2024 School Year Budget Proposed for the 2024-2025 School Year % Change REVENUES State Aid $ 98,335,842 $ 95,206,549 -3.2% Taxes $ 31,930,311 $ 32,968,046 3.2% Other $ 3,166,700 $ 6,320,692 99.6% PILOTS $ 525,000 $ 650,000 3.8% $ 2,000,000 $ 3,550,091 77.5% TOTAL REVENUES $ 135,957,853 $ 138,695,378 2.0% Fund Balance REVENUES 3% Fund Balance EXPENDITURES 1% PILOTS 4% Other 5% Private Tuition 10% Supplies 1% Equipment & Contractual 26% Benefits 24% Taxes 68% State Aid 12% BOCES 5% Debt 1% Other 39% Salaries 1% Utilities EXPENDITURES Budget Adopted for the 2023-2024 School Year Budget Proposed for the 2024-2025 School Year % Change Salaries $ 53,315,188 $ 54,038,225 1.4% Benefits $ 37,528,839 $ 35,639,785 -5.0% $ 524,000 $ 752,625 43.6% Utilities $ 1,335,900 $ 1,383,500 10.9% Debt $ 6,144,017 $ 6,812,356 22.6% $ 12,858,562 $ 13,850,653 7.7% Other $ 1,223,000 $ 1,573,518 28.7% BOCES $ 16,156,747 $ 16,623,116 2.9% Private Tuition $ 6,871,600 $ 8,021,600 16.7% TOTAL EXPENDITURES $ 135,957,853 $ 138,695,378 2.0% Equipment Supplies & Contractual 6 www.poughkeepsieschools.org
On April 23, 2024, the Board of Education unanimously adopted the proposed $138,695,378 budget, a 2% increase over this current year’s budget. As with previous years, the 2024-2025 budget remains below the state-authorized tax levy limit with an increase of just 3.25%. Residents to vote Poughkeepsie City School District’s Board of Education Election and Budget vote will take place from 9am to 9pm, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Voters will be asked to elect two members of the Board of Education for a three-year term which will run through June 30, 2027 and vote upon the appropriation of necessary funds to meet the $135,957,853 estimated expenditures for the school district for the 2024-2025 school year. Voting will be done by machine at polling locations. Tax Levy We are staying within the 2024-25 allowable tax cap. The change in the tax levy from the 2023-2024 school year to the 2024-2025 school year is 3.25%, which is below the district’s calculated tax cap of 7.1%. Contingent budget assumptions What happens if the 2024-2025 budget is not approved by a majority of voters? Under state law, school boards can submit a budget to voters a maximum of two times. If the budget is defeated twice, the board must adopt a contingency budget which does not allow for a tax levy increase; and the Administrative Component has to be the lesser of the last adopted or last defeated budget Administrative Component. The 2024-2025 budget as proposed would require $852,378 in mandated reductions. In the event a contingency budget is adopted for an amount less than the proposed budget level of $138,695,378 the district would look to the areas below to make reductions: Staff reductions could be necessary; building maintenance could be limited to emergency repairs; certain staff would not receive raises; reduction of equipment purchases may be required. Per state mandate, community groups using school buildings would be charged for utilities and other expenses per district policy. www.poughkeepsieschools.org 7
PCSD Mission, Vision, & Goals Budget Notice Our Mission We are champions of children who inspire and nurture the whole child by providing innovative, high-quality educational opportunities that prepare all students to embark on individual paths of success in a globally diverse community. Our Vision The Poughkeepsie City School District is committed to providing equitable, high-quality education for all students that enables them to explore and maximize their fullest potential. Our Goals Increase student achievement; Resource stewardship; Improve internal processes, systems & structures, and; Organizational effectiveness. Total Budgeted Amount , Not Including Separate Propositions Increase for 2024-2025 School Year Percentage Increase/Decrease in Proposed Budget Change in the Consumer Price Index A. Proposed Tax Levy to Support the Total Budgeted Amount B. Levy to Support Library Debt, if Applicable C. Levy for Non-Excludable Propositions, if Applicable ** D. Total Tax Cap Reserve Amount Used to Reduce Current Year Levy E. Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy (A + B + C - D) F. Permissible Exclusions to the School Tax Levy Limit G. School Tax Levy Limit, Excluding Levy for Permissible Exclusions H. Total Proposed Tax Levy for School Purposes, Excluding Permissible Exclusions and Levy for L I. Difference: (G – H); (Negative Value Requires 60.0% Voter Approval – See Note Below Rega BUDGET COMPONENTS Administrative Program Capital **List Separate Propositions that are not included in the Total Budgeted Amount: (Tax Levy associated wit CONTINGENCY NOTICE If the school budget is defeated by the community, a contingency budget for the 2024-25 school year will be implemented pursuant to §2023 of the Education Law, or the district could decide to hold a revote on June 18. ESTIMATED TAX BILL Homeowners with a home assessed at 150,000 will have an estimated annual tax increase of $53.01 compared to this year’s bill. For a homestead, Basic STAR benefit would be would be $498; with Enhanced STAR, the benefit would be $1,285. ELECTION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS Two Poughkeepsie City School District Board of Education members will be elected on May 21, 2024 due to the expiration of the terms of Dr. Felicia Watson and Fatimah Carmen Martinez Santiago. Members of the Board of Education are duly elected at large by the qualified voters of the district. The two candidates receiving the largest number of votes cast will be elected to the three-year terms commencing on July 1, 2024 and expiring on June 30, 2027. Information on those seeking these two seats will be available at bit.ly/PCSDCandidates, or by scanning the above QR code, after May 6, 2024. 8 www.poughkeepsieschools.org PROPOSITION ~Shall Shall the Board of Education of the Poughkeepsie City in the amount of $138,695,378 and to levy the necessary tax therefor? Estimated Basic STAR EXEMPTION IMPACT The basic school tax relief (STAR) exemption is authorized by section 425 of the Real Property Tax Law.
The annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2024-25 by the qualified voters of the Poughkeepsie City School District, Dutchess County, New York, will be held at Morse, Warring, Clinton, Poughkeepsie Middle, and Krieger schools in said district on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, between the hours of 9:00 am and 9:00 pm, prevailing time, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting ballot or machine. Budget Adopted for the 2023-2024 School Year Budget Proposed for the 2024-2025 School Year Contingency Budget for the 2024-2025 School Year* $135,957,853 $138,695,378 $137,843,378 $2,737,525 $1,885,525 2.0% 1.5% 3.4% $31,930,311 $32,968,046 0 0 0 0 0 0 $31,930,311 $32,968,046 $32,116,046 $2,285,580 $29,644,731 $29,137,893 0 0 $13,631,681 $13,531,681 $104,922,507 $117,681,890 $116,929,890 $17,835,071 arding Separate Propositions) ** $29,137,893 $13,200,274 Library Debt, Plus Prior Year Tax Cap Reserve (E - B - F + D) $3,830,153 $29,644,731 $7,381,807 $7,381,807 Amount Description th propositions not eligible for exclusion may affect property tax levy limit and voter approval requirements.) y School District be authorized to expend the sum of money which will be required for school district purposes for the year July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, Estimated Basic STAR Tax Savings Under the Budget Proposed for the 2024-2025 School Year 498 $12,000,000 www.poughkeepsieschools.org 9
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