Sachem board faces $6.5 million gap; considers school closure, transportation vote and program cuts

Sachem Central School District officials told the Board of Education on Feb. 26 that the district’s required operating budget for 2025–26 stands at about $380.4 million, creating an immediate shortfall and prompting consideration of program cuts, changes to transportation eligibility and the possible closure of a school.

Budget presenter Michelle Sarakis said, "The proposed tax levy for the 2526 school year, we're looking at a 2.2005% increase. That is within the tax cap. We are not looking to pierce." She told the board the proposed levy must be submitted to the state comptroller by March 1 and can be revised if there are material changes.

The district projects roughly $378.6 million in revenue against $380.4 million in expenditures, leaving a revenue gap of about $1.8 million under the draft that includes only required and mandatory expenditures. Sarakis told the board that when discretionary items excluded from the draft — athletics, many clubs and arts-in-education programs, and certain field-trip transportation — are added back, the shortfall increases to about $6.5 million.

Why it matters

Board members said the shortfall forces hard choices for programs that affect students across the district. The administration presented a set of potential reductions aimed at closing the gap in 2025–26 and lowering recurring costs thereafter, and urged the board to decide on timelines for any action that requires voter approval or state notification.

Key figures and drivers

- Total proposed budget: $380,400,000 (1.63% budget-to-budget increase). - Projected revenues: $378,600,000. - Gap on required/mandated line items: ~$1,800,000. - Gap if discretionary items are restored: ~$6,500,000. -…