Dear Putnam Valley Community:
Putnam Valley has always been a special place to me. Growing up in town, I witnessed firsthand the strength and compassion of this community. Returning to work for the District and then being named the Superintendent has been a privilege and my pride in Putnam Valley continues to grow. As we find our community and our nation in the midst of a new and unprecedented crisis, we once again see our community coming together to support those in need. I am extremely proud of the staff and students of the Putnam Valley Central School District and I am deeply grateful for the fortitude of the parents and caregivers who have risen to meet the challenges of distance learning since the middle of March.
Although our buildings have been closed since March 13, school district staff have been working to meet the needs of students as they continue to deliver instruction, albeit, remotely. The District has continued to actively support the community by offering free meals to all students and younger siblings and by providing childcare for the children of first responders and essential workers in our community.
Before schools responded to the greater needs of our community and transitioned into a virtual world, this was shaping up to be another outstanding year in Putnam Valley. Please visit our website at pvcsd.org, to learn more about the achievements of our schools and our students.
As we were preparing the budget for the 2020-2021 school year we responded to the tremendous economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. As part of our efforts to present a fiscally responsible budget, we have proactively reduced expenses in next year’s budget. Our budget to budget increase for next year is only .44%. As per the Governor’s Executive Order, all voting will be done by absentee ballot and ballots are due back to the District Office no later than 5 pm on Tuesday, June 9. Ballots have been mailed to all qualified voters. If you need additional information, please contact our District Clerk at mbellino@pvcsd.org, (845)528-8143×1367. Due to time constraints, ballots can be dropped off at the District Office located behind the Elementary School at 171 Oscawana Lake Road, click here for office hours.
Our Budget Newsletter was mailed to all PVCSD residents at the end of May. Please review the information included in this newsletter (click here), and visit our website for detailed information and meeting videos so that you are prepared to return your absentee ballot no later than June 9 at 5 pm. The Putnam Valley School District is committed to the students and community who continue to shape our goals and values and will lead us into the future.
We look forward to the day when our schools are filled with the smiling faces of our students and staff. Student safety is our highest priority and our schools will be ready to safely welcome students back when state and public health guidelines allow. The District will be establishing a Re-entry Task Force that will develop a plan to safely reopen schools.
Thank you for your continued partnership. Please continue to take care of yourself, your family, and your neighbors.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jeremy Luft
Superintendent of Schools
Fast Budget Facts:
⭆ Proposed tax levy remains below the NYS allowable tax cap for the 9th consecutive year.
⭆ Over the past 5 years, the tax rate has gone down 4.9%.
⭆ Despite state aid cuts, the budget to budget increase is only .44%.
⭆ The COVID19 health crisis has negatively impacted the 2020-2021 budget.
⭆ Due to significant losses in state aid, cuts of $1.2M were necessary to balance the budget.
⭆ School Districts have been advised that additional State aid cuts could be as much as 20%. State aid reductions could reach $2.4M for Putnam Valley.
⭆ Voting will be done by absentee ballot sent to all qualified voters.
⭆ Ballots must be received by the District no later than June 9 by 5 pm.
⭆ A failed budget would result in additional cuts to student programs totaling $531,000. Staffing, educational programs, extracurricular activities and athletics would be impacted.