Update from Dr. Hattar

May 9, 2026

I hope this update finds you and your family well.  As we conclude Teacher Appreciation Week, I wanted to share a brief word about the talented educators throughout our district.  I have hundreds of interactions with our faculty and staff each week, and this gives me a unique perspective into their work.  I have the joy of seeing how deeply invested each and every member of our district is in the success of your children.  I see faculty and staff who are so incredibly caring and who give every ounce of themselves to support their students.  They work relentlessly to see their students experience success in the classroom, and I offer them my highest praise today and each day.  

2026-27 School Budget Update

Each year we engage in a comprehensive budget development process to ensure that we can fully and appropriately meet the needs of our students while demonstrating a genuine effort to limit the impact to the tax levy. Year after year, we have been able to build upon our robust academic and extra-classroom offerings while also maintaining one of the lowest average tax levy increases in the region. In fact, over the last nine years, we have the 4th lowest average tax levy increase in all of Westchester and Putnam Counties.

We believe that we have once again been able to develop a budget that provides students the excellent educational opportunities that have become synonymous with the Yorktown Central School District while limiting the increase to the tax levy.  The proposed 2.38% tax levy increase, which is within the tax levy cap, demonstrates a continued sensitivity to taxpayers while providing our students with the best possible educational experience. 

Based on current estimates, this results in:

• an estimated 2.11% tax rate increase for the Town of Yorktown;

• an estimated 6.90% tax rate decrease for New Castle; and

• an estimated 9.98% tax rate decrease for Cortlandt.

It is important to note that these estimated tax rate changes are driven by state equalization rates, and are not set by the District.

The budget vote and trustee election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. in the French Hill School.  

Calendar Update

Our 2026-27 calendar is posted to our website for your review.  Please note that due to the late Labor Day, coupled with the calendar requirements from NYSED, students’ first day of classes will be Wednesday, September 2, 2026.  

With regard to the remainder of this school year, please be sure to visit the building and district calendar on our website.  Of particular note are the following:

• Schools are closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day;

• Schools are closed on Friday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth;

• Our elementary schools will follow an early dismissal schedule on the final three days of the school year (June 24-26).  On these early dismissal days, Crompond will dismiss at 11:05 a.m. and Brookside/Mohansic will dismiss at 11:50am.

• The MS and HS will be sharing their respective end of year and testing schedules directly with families. 

Cyber Attack (YCSD not impacted)

You may have heard of a cyberattack that recently impacted many K-12 schools and colleges/universities across the country.  The online learning platform Canvas experienced a cyberattack.  Please know that NYSED has confirmed that our district was not impacted by this event.  Our district does use a program called Canva; however, that is a completely different program and platform from Canvas.

Bus Stop Arm Cameras

We were just recently advised that 90 tickets were issued during the month of April for vehicles illegally passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.  The overwhelming majority of these tickets were issued on Underhill Avenue, Route 202, and Route 35.  For the safety of our children and our community, please do not pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing.      

After-School Care Program for 2026-27

As a reminder, the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester will be administering an after school care program in each of our elementary schools for the 2026-27 school year.  Information regarding program times and pricing may be found here.  Please note that students may only attend the after-school program housed at the school that they attend.  Any inquiries should be made directly to the YMCA as this is not a district program.

Pre-K, Kindergarten, and New Student Registration

If you have recently moved to our district and/or are intending to register your child to attend school in the Yorktown CSD for September, including pre-k, please begin the process immediately.  We still have limited space available in our pre-k program.  Kindly visit our registration page to begin the registration process.  

You may contact Patty Sauber (psauber@yorktown.org) or Val Biberaj (vbiberaj@yorktown.org) for additional information.

Hiring Updates in the Yorktown Central School District

We continue to update our website with various job opportunities--both instructional and non-instructional opportunities.  If interested, please visit our website for a list of vacancies or you may click here. 

As always, thank you for your continued support of our excellent school district.  I wish you a terrific weekend, and a very happy and healthy Mother’s Day for all who are celebrating.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ron Hattar