Sachem board narrows budget response, removes school‑closure option and directs administration to pursue Option 2

The Sachem Central School District board on Wednesday removed from consideration an option to close an elementary school and directed administration to pursue a revised budget plan the district said would close a $6.5 million shortfall.

Administrators presented three options to close the gap; the board voted to remove “Option 3,” the plan that included closing an elementary school and recognizing rental income from that closure, and then asked administration to move forward with “Option 2” while the district awaits updated state aid numbers and further detail on voter approval for a transportation change.

District officials said all three options are designed to close a $6.5 million gap the board discussed last week. The package the board endorsed for further work (Option 2) combines proposed program reductions and revenue changes the administration said would reduce the deficit without closing a school immediately.

Why it matters: The district projects a multi‑million dollar shortfall driven in part by lower enrollment and uncertainty in state aid, and trustees said they want changes the community can sustain without repeatedly restoring and cutting services. The board’s decision removes the option of an immediate elementary closure for the upcoming review cycle but directs officials to continue planning possible building consolidations for later years.

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