Brentwood UFSD proposes $688.5 million 2025–26 budget, 1% tax-levy increase and $39 million capital transfer for air conditioning

Brentwood Union Free School District officials presented the proposed 2025–26 budget of $688,525,221 at a special Board of Education meeting and formal budget hearing on May 8, saying the total represents a 14.13% increase from the prior year but would be supported by a 1% tax-levy increase.

The district’s presenter, Stacy O'Connor, said the budget’s increase is “a large increase, but we do have a large one-time increase” that drives much of the change. The district proposes a $39,000,000 interfund transfer to capital — described as a one-time expenditure to install air conditioning in large spaces (gyms, cafeterias, libraries) across multiple buildings and to renovate West and East Middle School auditoriums. Officials said the air-conditioning work would be a multiyear project likely staged over three summers (2026–2028) if the budget is approved.

The hearing outlined major revenue and expenditure items. O'Connor said 75% of the budget is expected to be covered by state aid, including a $43,000,000 increase in foundation aid; she said the district’s share of state aid includes a just-over $44,000,000 increase tied to changes in the foundation-aid calculation.…