By Hank Russell
Budgets for all 124 school districts were up for a vote on May 19, with all but five of them passing. One district has yet to announce its results.
Although Bayport-Blue Point proposed less spending, the tax levy exceeded the district’s tax cap limit. The budget of $88,387,020 — a decrease of 0.85% from this year’s budget of $89,147,050 — failed by a vote of 679-568. The budget would have also pierced the district’s -0.76% tax levy by implementing a 2.75% increase to $63,862,845 from $62,153,623.
In a statement posted on the school district’s website, School Superintendent Dr. Timothy P. Hearney wrote, “We are disappointed that tonight’s budget vote did not yield the results we were seeking. We thank all those who participated in the process and shared their perspectives. District administration and the Board of Education will be meeting in the days ahead to evaluate next steps. We remain committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities while maintaining fiscal responsibility.”
Islip’s proposed budget of $106,244,044 — a 3.71% increase over this year’s $102,445,045 — was rejected by an 859-639 vote. It also included a 2.85% raise in the tax levy, exceeding the district’s tax cap of 2.22%, from $68,573,216 to $70,527,553.
In its budget newsletter, the district said it “faced a significant gap between revenues and expenses. While revenues increased by approximately $1.6 million, expenditures rose by nearly $4.7 million, largely due to factors beyond our control. We carefully reviewed all spending areas, implemented efficiencies, and made strategic adjustments wherever possible.”
By an 850-765 vote, the Locust Valley school budget was rejected. The budget would have increased 2% from $98,289,148 to $100,251,364 and stayed within the district’s 2.84% tax cap by raising the tax levy to 2.1% to $92,050,729 from $90,158,181.
South Country’s proposed budget that would have gone from $147,164,277 to $150,738,754 — up 2.43% from this year — failed by a vote of 2,747-1,105. The budget would have also far exceeded the district’s 5.52% tax cap by proposing a 13.45% tax levy of $81,113,604, up from $71,496,354 this year.
Lastly, the proposed Three Village school budget failed, 2,340-2,051. The budget would have increased by 2.87% from $238,151,502 to $244,980,092 and raised the tax levy by 4.54%, staying within the district’s tax cap, to $187,097,362 from $178,973,738.
Results for the Roosevelt Union Free School District have not been reported as of press time.