Northport board previews 2025-26 budget with 2.2% levy, considers district‑wide classroom air conditioning

The Northport‑East Northport Union Free School District on April 10 reviewed draft 3 of its 2025‑26 budget, which administrators said would raise total appropriations to about $191,000,003 and carry a proposed tax levy increase of 2.2% — the district’s levy cap threshold — producing an estimated $193.77 annual increase for a homeowner with a typical assessed value cited in the presentation.

The discussion centered on revenue sources, reserve balances and shifting capital priorities to add air conditioning in classrooms. District presenters said the draft is balanced at a 1.8% overall budget increase and remains below the statutory levy limit, while noting several late cost shocks that altered the plan.

Administrators said the budget remains tax‑cap compliant while relying on a mix of fund balance and restricted reserves to smooth costs. “This year's projection is to have a reduction in fund balance of just over $1,400,000,” the district’s budget presenter said, adding the change results from planned use of $2 million in capital reserves for voter‑authorized projects and a $750,000 recommended reallocation to replace certain septic systems as a preventive capital measure. The presenter also said the district’s total fund balance last fiscal year was approximately $27,000,008 and that fund balance represented about 15.2% of the budget in that year.

The board and staff highlighted an unanticipated 21% insurance premium increase reported to the district last week, a development the presentation said largely offset staffing‑related savings that resulted from retirements and administrative reorganizations. “We just received notice, a 21% increase,” the presenter said, describing the spike as a market‑wide reinsurance and appraisal issue rather than a district decision.

HVAC and capital priorities

School leaders proposed reprioritizing the capital schedule to install mini‑split air conditioning units in classrooms using in‑district maintenance crews. The presentation estimated an approximate per‑classroom cost of about $4,000 for the district‑installed mini‑split approach and said using internal crews would avoid tens of millions of dollars in rooftop, ducted alternatives and major electrical upgrades. “The cost per classroom is significantly less. You know, we could do it for 4,000 or so per classroom,” the presenter said.

The administration proposed shifting about $750,000 previously reserved for roofing toward septic replacements and said it could further shift up to $1,250,000 of roof funds in the near term to accelerate HVAC installations; administrators described the change as a timing priority rather than an increase in total capital spending. “Mechanically speaking, it'll be reprioritizing our resources to do that,” a staff member said when asked whether roof work would be delayed to install HVAC.

Board members and staff discussed logistics and risks: tariffs and supply‑chain pressures could raise materials costs and require pauses in purchases; some installation work will require overtime and second‑shift labor; and the district will continue to use cooperative purchasing where possible. Trustees asked whether reassigning funds would affect a phase 1 solar project; staff said phase 1 solar design and voter approvals are unchanged, and any later solar expansion (phase 2) could be submitted after roofs are completed.

State aid, levy math and ratings

Administrators reiterated that state aid numbers remain based on the state executive budget proposal and that the district expects a modest increase of roughly $41,122 (about 0.2%) in general fund state aid under the governor’s executive proposal. The presentation included a comparison of Northport’s levy history and neighboring districts and noted the district’s AA1 Moody’s bond rating; staff said Moody’s weight the district’s cash reserves in its assessment and that a healthier reserve position lowers borrowing costs.

Discussion versus decision

Trustees discussed whether to formally direct staff to prioritize HVAC installations now or wait for later refinement; they did not record a final board vote or pass a resolution at the meeting to adopt an HVAC plan. Several trustees expressed support for proceeding quickly if it can be done without materially harming other projects. The superintendent said the administration would seek board direction ahead of the April 22 budget vote.

Youth Directions & Alternatives funding and public comment

Public commentators urged the board to retain a locally funded street outreach worker housed at Youth Directions & Alternatives (YDA). Rod Miller, YDA executive director, told the board that the $11,000 restored in draft 3 is 30% of the program’s local funding and that a further reduction would force the street outreach position to become part‑time. “We greatly appreciate it,” Miller said after the board restored the line. Brielle Newman, the district’s street outreach worker and a Northport alum, addressed the board and said the position had helped her when she was a student: “I was in high school when [the] youth outreach worker actually helped me…now I'm able to give back to all the students that … I know kind of what they're relating to.”

Next steps

Administrators asked trustees for direction so staff could present a final budget for adoption at the special board meeting scheduled for April 22. The superintendent cautioned that the state budget, BOCES revenue decisions and other external items are not expected until May or the summer and that those outcomes could affect the final numbers.

Ending

The board did not adopt the 2025‑26 budget at the April 10 meeting; trustees directed staff to return with final documents and brought forward several informational clarifications on reserves, the insurance notice and the proposed capital priority shifts ahead of the April 22 vote.