NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 26, 2025) — The New Rochelle School District is grappling with a $20.2 million budget deficit for the 2025-2026 school year, prompting Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds to propose significant cuts, including up to 200 staff positions, alongside a 3.95% tax levy increase.
In a letter to the school community dated Feb. 25, Reynolds outlined the financial challenges driving the shortfall, citing rising health care and transportation costs, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the opening of a new charter school. Despite a modest state aid increase of $377,000, the district faces tough choices to maintain its core academic programs.
“We are speaking about people—our valued people—with their own families, rents, mortgages, and other financial and familial responsibilities,” Reynolds wrote, acknowledging the human toll of reducing the workforce. He pledged support for affected staff transitioning to new employment, emphasizing that vacant positions, retirements, and attrition would be targeted before layoffs. Special education roles, mandated by state law, will remain untouched.
To further close the gap, the district plans to adjust elementary school bell schedules for more efficient bus routes, balance class sizes within teacher-student ratio guidelines, limit overtime, and cut contracted services costs. Reynolds stressed that these measures, while disruptive, were unavoidable after exploring all alternatives.
The proposed budget, presented at a Board of Education meeting Tuesday, hinges on voter approval of the 3.95% tax levy hike—matching last year’s increase. Even with this, savings from the proposed cuts are essential. If the budget fails, Reynolds warned, transportation adjustments would become even more critical.
Reynolds also called for increased state aid, noting that any additional funds beyond the governor’s current proposal would prioritize restoring positions most vital to students. Advocacy efforts are ongoing, he said.
Community input is a priority, with Reynolds scheduling feedback opportunities, including a public hearing May 6 at New Rochelle High School Library and the budget vote May 20. He’ll also host “community conversations” with groups like Parent-Teacher Associations. Residents can attend Board of Education meetings or email budgetquestions@nredlearn.org.
“We understand that these decisions will have a profound impact,” Reynolds wrote. “Please know that we are staying true to who we are by aligning our budget with our mission, vision, core beliefs, and strategic directions.”