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Syosset presents 2025–26 budget with 3.53% overall increase, proposes 2.77% tax levy and purchase of three buses
Summary
At the district's state-required budget hearing, administrators proposed a $10 million increase for 2025–26 that preserves programs while keeping the tax levy 0.03 percentage points under the calculated cap; the plan includes buying three buses with an anticipated break-even in year three.
Syosset Central School District administrators presented the district’s state-required 2025–26 budget at the board meeting, proposing a 3.53% overall increase that would fund programs for about 7,200 students while keeping the proposed tax levy at 2.77%, roughly $67,000 below the district’s calculated tax cap.
The budget hearing matters because it outlines the district’s spending priorities — preserving academic and extracurricular programs, expanding special-education supports and maintaining facilities — and sets the levy voters will decide on in the budget vote scheduled for May 20.
Associate Superintendent for Business Doctor Bridal told the board the 2025–26 budget is intended to “preserve all of our academic programs and services” while addressing rising costs. The proposal reflects a decade-long enrollment increase of about 16% and identifies regular and special education programs and related benefits as accounting for roughly 60% of the budget increase. Rising transportation costs were highlighted as a separate pressure; Bridal said contract transportation and buses account for about $2,500,000 of the increase.
To reduce future transportation costs, the district proposes purchasing three buses outright, a strategic change Bridal said would give Syosset more control over routes and costs. Bridal stated about 36% of the buses’ cost is expected to be covered by state aid over several years and that the district anticipates breaking even on the purchase in year three; given typical bus life cycles of more than 10 years, the administration projects substantial long-term savings.
Bridal walked the board through the three-part budget presentation format (program, administrative, capital), noting the instructional program represents the largest share of expenditures (more than three-quarters). The superintendent’s presentation listed planned capital projects including tennis-court renovations and additions at HBT, ADA-related staff renovations, upgrades to auditorium sound and lighting and districtwide roofing, electrical and paving projects.
On revenue, Bridal said state aid increased somewhat but will still represent about 12.13% of district revenue; the tax levy remains the largest component at about 79%. The presentation also calls for applying restricted reserves to help offset levy pressure. All budget detail and prior presentations are posted on the district website, Bridal said, and the district mailed a budget bulletin and notice to homes; the formal budget vote and election is set for May 20.
Board members then opened the hearing for public questions and continued routine business (minutes and treasurer’s report approvals) during the meeting.
The board did not take a final budget vote at the hearing; the budget message and the proposals described at the presentation will be part of the ballot for the May 20 district vote. Detailed budget documents and the district budget notice are available on the Syosset Central School District website.
