Mineola board adopts $112.2 million budget with 2.08% tax levy increase

The Mineola Board of Education on April 10 approved a $112,197,493 operating budget for the 2025–26 school year, adopting the district’s real property tax report card and authorizing submission to the New York State Education Department.

The vote followed a detailed budget overview by Will Herman, assistant superintendent for business and operations, who told the board the district’s proposed tax levy increase is 2.08 percent and outlined projected changes in salaries and benefits and planned capital work.

Herman said salaries are projected to rise “a little bit under 2%,” listing a 1.8 percent projected increase for salaries and a 2.1 percent projected increase for benefits; together he presented a 1.89 percent combined increase. He described major non-salary items planned for 2025–26: an equipment allocation that includes classroom furniture and $578,000 in facility- and storage-related items, facilities upgrades (bathroom renovation at Meadow Drive, replacement of auditorium air-conditioning units, a unit ventilator and air conditioning work at Willis Avenue) and a transfer to capital to support conversion of the middle school gym into a cafeteria and kitchen.

Herman warned that state aid figures remain provisional: the district used the governor’s January estimate in its planning and noted the state budget had not been finalized. He said the district will adjust its use of appropriated fund balance depending on the final state aid number and described a $4 million capital reserve proposition that will appear as a separate voter proposition on May 20 for items including the middle-school baseball field, an auditorium roof repair and exterior area-way repairs.

Board members asked clarifying questions about timelines and contingency planning. Herman explained the contingency budget that would apply if voters reject the proposed budget: it would limit the district’s allowable tax levy increase, force elimination of specified non-contingent items (including the planned transfer to capital, facilities upgrades, equipment and certain non‑union staff salaries), and could require additional cuts or greater use of fund balance.

Trustee Patrick Talti moved to adopt the budget; the motion was seconded by “Bridal.” The district clerk called the vote and the motion carried with unanimous support.

The district will submit the approved real property tax report card to the state education department by the next business day as required.