Monroe-Woodbury board reviews instructional portion of proposed 2026-27 budget

Monroe-Woodbury administrators presented the instructional portion of the proposed 2026–27 budget at the Board of Education regular meeting on March 4, 2026, detailing a curriculum and instruction total of $29,694,547, up 6 percent, or $1,655,472, from the prior year.

The presentation was led by Dr. Eric Hassler, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for grades 6–12, and Dr. Karin Morales, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for K–5, with school administrators presenting their individual school budgets and requests. The curriculum and instruction budget, the district materials show, accounts for core subject programs, district-wide programs, instructional support, education support services, physical education and athletics, instructional management, and special secondary programs. The local coverage headline emphasized priorities: “Funding increases sought for music, special education and other areas.”

Financial timing and next steps remain on a set board calendar. As reported in meeting coverage, “Dr. Hassler noted the budget is still being finalized and that Superintendent Dr. Tracy Norman will give a final budget recommendation during the board’s Apr. 8 meeting. A public budget hearing is set to take place on May 6 and the statewide budget vote will be held on May 19.” Those three dates — April 8, May 6 and May 19 — will shape when line-item decisions and any taxpayer impact are finalized.

The instructional review followed the board’s non-instructional budget session held the prior week. District notices for the Feb. 25 meeting described it as the first presentation in the 2026–2027 MWCSD Budget review process: “The Monroe‑Woodbury Board of Education will hold a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Monroe‑Woodbury High School, in the auditorium, 45 Route 32, Central Valley. The agenda includes the first presentation in the 2026-2027 MWCSD Budget review process. The topic for this meeting is Non-Instructional Expenses. The board anticipates going into executive session following the meeting.”

The district notice also spelled out public-comment rules for those attending the Feb. 25 session: “Although the Board of Education welcomes comments about programs offered by the District and the efforts of its staff, the discussion of matters relating to specific individuals is expressly prohibited,” and cautioned that “Board members and the Superintendent typically do not respond to statements at the Board meeting. Responses to questions or concerns are provided at the subsequent Board meeting.” The Feb. 25 meeting was made available in person and via the district streaming listing, BOE Regular Meeting - February 25, 2026.

Reporters and residents should note a location discrepancy in district materials for the high school: the Feb. 25 notice lists the auditorium at 45 Route 32, Central Valley, while the school’s contact block shows Monroe‑Woodbury High School, 155 Dunderberg Road, Central Valley, NY 10917, phone (845) 460-7000, with Principal Jason McElroy at 845-460-7001. The materials do not reconcile the two addresses.

The board will hear Superintendent Dr. Tracy Norman’s final recommendation at the April 8 meeting; that recommendation will feed into the May 6 public hearing and the May 19 statewide budget vote that will determine whether the proposed increases, including those targeted to music and special education, move forward.