Sachem proposes $380.9 million 2025–26 budget; transportation proposition would change eligibility and could save about $1.75 million

The Sachem Central School District presented a $380,900,000 proposed budget for the 2025–26 school year at a public hearing May 7 and told residents the budget vote is scheduled for May 20 at all operating elementary schools from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The proposed budget represents a budget-to-budget increase of $6,600,000, or 1.77 percent, and is supported by a proposed tax levy of $216,500,000 — a 2.2 percent increase the district said is “within the allowable tax levy formula.” The district said the levy requires a simple majority (50 percent plus one) for passage.

The proposed three-part expenditure budget breaks spending into administrative, program and capital categories. The district presented the figures at the hearing and emphasized several line items: about $178,000,000 in salaries (approximately 47 percent of the budget), a $9,000,000 transfer to capital for building and infrastructure projects, and funding to purchase two large school buses. The presentation listed specific capital priorities including pool piping work at North and Tecumseh, an electrical-service replacement at Tecumseh, roof replacements districtwide and potential boiler, unit-vent, flooring and restroom projects if bid prices allow.

“This is the final presentation before the budget vote,” said a staff member presenting the budget. “This levy is within the allowable tax levy formula, so we are not looking to pierce. This only requires a simple majority, which is 50 percent plus 1 to pass.”

The district described revenue assumptions: the 2.2 percent property-tax increase, an estimated state-aid number (the presenter said state aid remains estimated until state runs are released), and the planned use of restricted reserves. The district plans to appropriate about $11,900,000 of fund balance and to draw on ERS and workers’ compensation reserves to balance the $380.9 million figure. Estimated per‑homeowner annual tax impacts presented by the district were about $142 for Brookhaven, $160 for Islip and $148 for Smithtown, with the presenter noting those amounts depend on final assessed values and equalization rates set by the municipalities.

The board highlighted Proposition 2, placed on the ballot to change transportation eligibility distances. The presenter described the current thresholds and the proposed changes as follows: under current practice, a student who lives more than a half mile from school qualifies for transportation K–12; maximum distance allowances vary by level. Under Proposition 2 as explained at the hearing, the district would change the minimum distances used to qualify: at the K–8 level the district would not provide transportation to students who live within one mile of school (instead of a half mile), and at grades 9–12 it would require students to live more than 1.5 miles to qualify; the district would also reduce the previously cited 25‑mile maximum for high school service to 15 miles. The presenter said if voters approve Proposition 2 the district would realize roughly $1,750,000 in recurring savings for 2025–26.

“If [Proposition 2] were to pass, we would recognize the savings of roughly $1,750,000 for the 25‑26 school year. That would be a recurring savings by having those reduced limits,” the budget presenter said.

The district explained contingency procedures should voters reject the budget. If the budget fails twice, New York law requires the board to adopt a contingency budget, the presenter said; under a contingency budget the district cannot increase the tax levy above the current year and must limit expenditures to those necessary to operate and maintain school buildings and preserve student health and safety. The presenter said contingency budgeting would eliminate purchases of new equipment, the $9,000,000 capital transfer and nonessential maintenance, and would prevent salary increases for nonunionized, noninstructional employees.

“The board has the option to either put the same budget up for a revote on the June 17 statewide revote date, put a revised budget up, or the board can elect to go directly to a contingency budget,” the presenter said.

The district also said it will begin demographic studies under contract with BOCES immediately if the budget vote passes; that study was described as preparatory work on long‑range facility decisions mentioned during the hearing. No final budget was adopted at the hearing; the board conducted the required presentation and closed the hearing by motion.

Discussion items at the hearing included concerns about state-aid volatility and the district’s use of reserves. Board members and staff warned that if adopted state aid is lower than projected the district would need to identify in-year adjustments.

The board opened and closed the public budget hearing by motions recorded in the meeting minutes; the budget itself will be decided by voters on May 20. If voters approve the budget the district plans to begin the demographic study and move forward with the capital work described in the transfer-to-capital line item.