Webutuck school budget gets airing

AMENIA — The Board of Education of the North East (Webutuck) Central School District held a public hearing on the 2024-25 budget on Monday, May 6.

The hearing, held in the high school’s library, drew a small crowd that included five students who also were part of a presentation on a school program on climate and culture.

Supt. Raymond Castellani said that the budget, which calls for an increase $1,081,377, or 4.16% compared to last year, to $27,054,075, aims to provide a full plate of educational and extracurricular activities for students while maintaining a balance with affordability.

Noting that the District is required to stay at or below state tax levy threshholds, Castellani said: “We are below the tax levy level.”

Robert Farrier, business administrator for the District, presented a budget overview, explaining details related to the proposed tax levy (4.46%), which is lower than the maximum allowable levy of 6.02%.

Farrier also outlined revenue sources for the budget, including state aid, and he and Supt. Castellani noted that the budget includes additions to staff: two special education teachers, two K-6 teachers due to increased enrollment, one math teacher and one teaching assistant.

The tentative tax levy is $9.29 per $1,000 assessed valuation, which is one cent lower than the 2023-24 levy. Farrier explained that final assessments from the towns will be forthcoming in August.

But based on the tentative tax levy, annual school tax on a $200,000 assessed value would be $1,858, according to Farrier’s presentation.

Besides the budget approval, voters will decide on the purchase of two, 20-passenger buses and a pickup truck for the District at a cost of $222,238. They also will vote on a $4.5 million construction capital reserve fund approval to install air conditioning at Eugene Brooks Intermediate School and Webutuck High School.

There were no questions raised from the floor about the budget during the hearing. A vote on the budget will be held Tuesday, May 21.

In other business, the Board heard a presentation from teachers and students on School Climate and Culture. The goal of the program, instituted at elementary, middle and high school levels, is to increase student recognition and promote a positive atmosphere through activities, such as naming a student of the month and setting up a wellness day organization.

Latest News

Copake’s PICKLEMANIA tournament scores 2nd year

Sixty-four pickleball players from the the Tri-state region competed in an all-day tournament in Copake on Sunday, June 1.

Photo by John Coston

COPAKE — After a day of heavy rain that forced the cancellation of the second annual Copake PICKLEMANIA pickleball tournament, the games were back on Sunday, June 1, at Copake Memorial Park.


Keep ReadingShow less
Burial ground Mass at St. Patrick’s

Mass celebrating Feast of the Ascension was held May 29 at St. Patrick’s Church.

Photo By Christine Bates

MILLERTON — The sun broke through on a cloudy evening at 5:30 and a bagpiper played for a Mass celebrating the Feast of the Ascension in the graveyard of closed St. Patrick’s Church in Millerton on May 29.

The cars of about 50 former parishioners and town residents were parked on the side streets and lot across from the church. Some were clever enough to bring their own folding chairs.

Keep ReadingShow less
School budgets pass amid strong turnout in May 20 polling

With robust voter turnout throughout the region, proposed 2025-26 education budgets passed handily, along with their additional propositions, in the polling held on Tuesday, May 20.

Webutuck Central School District

By a margin of 173 to 103, voters approved the 2025-26 budget totaling $28,665,850, an increase of 5.96% over the current year. After expected revenues are factored in, the amount to be raised by local taxes is $19,403,307, a 5.27% increase over the current year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia gathers at Fountain Square

A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held Fountain Square on Monday, May 26. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Wassaic Fire Company standing by the Veterans’ Memorial Wall.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The community gathered at Fountain Square under sunny skies on Monday, May 26, for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Remembrances, tributes, prayers and music combined to create the fitting annual tribute.

An Honor Guard from VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains presented the colors at the start of the ceremony that began promptly at 11 a.m. with a welcome from VFW Commander Nick Woodard to the more than 100 who had gathered.

Keep ReadingShow less