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South Orangetown proposes $115.3 million budget; tax levy set at cap, $195 impact cited for $200,000 home
Summary
At a May 13 board meeting the district presented a $115,289,084 proposed 2025–26 budget, a 4.24% increase, and said the tax levy would hit the 2.31% cap; administrators said a homeowner with $200,000 assessed value would see an estimated $195 annual increase.
South Orangetown Central School District staff presented a $115,289,084 proposed budget for 2025–26 at the board's public hearing on May 13, saying the plan would increase spending 4.24% from the current year and use the full 2.31% tax levy cap.
The budget presentation explained that the tax levy increase of $2,061,408 and the district's estimated revenue assumptions produce a balanced plan that relies in part on appropriations from reserves and unrestricted fund balance. "The tax levy is limited by the tax cap formula and subject to voter approval," said Natalie, a district staff member who presented the estimate.
The proposal matters because it allocates district resources, sets the dollar impact on homeowners and funds planned capital and program items. District staff said the estimated taxpayer impact for a property with a $200,000 assessed value would be an increase of $195 for the year, and that state aid remains subject to legislative finalization and new foundation-aid calculations.
Officials outlined revenue and expenditure details: projected state aid and interest income, modest increases in aid compared with expectations, and a closure of a small gap by appropriating portions of ERS/CRS reserves and unrestricted fund balance. The district reported an estimated decrease in enrollment of about 25 students and flagged cost pressures from pensions, BOCES, health insurance and transportation.
On the spending side, the budget earmarks a $2 million transfer to capital for building work including casework in eight classrooms at William O. Schaefer, a Tappan Zee High School nurses' suite ADA restroom, a high school store entry and districtwide cameras and safety enhancements. Administrators also proposed hiring an elementary teacher, a secondary physical-education teacher, a secondary reading teacher and an additional secondary special-education teacher.
The district emphasized the budget follows the state-required three-part presentation (administrative, program and capital). Program expenses make up the largest share at roughly 79%, the administration component about 10% and capital roughly 11%, according to the presentation.
Board members opened the hearing for public comment and scheduled the public vote for May 20. No formal action on adoption occurred at the hearing; the tax levy becomes final only after voter approval.
The board will take the proposed budget to the May 20 vote after the district completes its remaining publications and legal notices. Questions from the public and board remain focused on state-aid uncertainty and the use of reserves to balance next year's spending.
