Mineola board presents $112 million budget, proposes 2.08% tax levy and $1.6 million transfer to capital

Mineola Union Free School District officials presented a proposed $112 million operating budget for the 2025–26 school year and urged residents to vote on the plan at the district's May 20 budget vote.

"We are proposing, similar to last year, to come in right at the tax cap. So for this year, that is 2.08%," Will Herman, assistant superintendent for business and operations, told the board during the district's formal budget hearing.

The proposed budget would hold the district’s tax levy increase to the state tax‑cap limit of 2.08% while maintaining planned spending across salaries, benefits and operating costs. The plan also includes a $1,600,000 transfer from the general fund to capital to start converting the current middle‑school gym into a new kitchen and cafeteria, and it would add nine replacement vehicles under a five‑year lease‑purchase arrangement.

Why it matters: The budget hearing was the final scheduled public presentation before the district's May 20 vote, and the proposed package ties operating priorities (instruction, bus replacement, building upkeep) to two ballot questions: the main operating budget and a proposition to use capital reserve funds for three campus projects.

Herman told trustees the district’s overall proposed spending would increase modestly year over year and that recent state budget activity produced a small upward revision in state aid. "Our state aid is projected to be…