Manhasset board adopts $115.04 million 2025-26 budget with 3.11% levy increase

The Manhasset Union Free School District Board of Education voted to adopt a $115,043,231 budget for the 2025-26 school year and will present it to district voters on May 20. Sam (staff member), who presented the budget overview to the board, said the plan includes a 3.11% levy increase "which is within the allowable tax levy limit under New York State's tax cap law."

The budget preserves low elementary class sizes (elementary classes averaging about 20 students, kindergarten 16—617) and adds investments the administration described as priorities: a math coach for elementary enrichment, an expanded biomedical sciences pathway and career-oriented offerings in business, law and broadcast journalism. The plan also funds security enhancements including a visitor management system and a student swipe system at the secondary school, and continues funding for professional development and curriculum writing.

Nut graf: The board framed the proposed spending plan as a fiscally responsible package that uses a combination of operating revenue, appropriated reserves and one-time adjustments to sustain instructional programs and pay for targeted facility work while staying inside the statutory tax-cap constraint. The district will ask voters to approve the spending plan on May 20; a formal public budget hearing is scheduled for May 8.

According to the presentation, staffing costs account for approximately 42% of the budget increase (about $3.7 million), with the remaining 58% covering technology, curriculum, contract transportation, special education costs, debt service, facilities and a transfer to the repair reserve. The district plans to use $720,000 of appropriated fund balance, $150,000 reallocated from a TRS-related line (to be replenished if year-end balances permit) and $382,000 from the District Debt Service Fund to balance the budget. The administration noted that the governor's preliminary state budget includes a 2% foundation-aid increase that the district has accounted for; the legislature and governor had not finalized the state budget at the time of the meeting.

Board members asked questions about testing disruptions, facility projects and how the district communicates budget and operational policies to families. Dr. Posse (superintendent), in the superintendent's report preceding the budget presentation, underscored recent student and staff achievements and provided construction updates: a new speech suite at Shelter Rock, an ADA-compliant ramp near the life-skills classroom at the secondary school, and roof work at the auditorium stage scheduled to continue into early June.

Votes at a glance: The board unanimously approved the budget resolution to adopt the proposed expenditures for the 2025-26 school year. The board also approved a related property tax report card filing and several consent items (special education committee placements, contracts, conference requests, overnight field trips, and other routine items) and agreed to administrative side letters and calendar adjustments discussed during the meeting. Specific vote tallies by member were not read into the record; the meeting record reports the motions were approved with the board announcing "all in favor."

Ending: With the boards adoption, the budget package becomes the district's proposal for the May 20 public vote. The administration said additional line-item detail will be posted on the district website and reminded residents about the May 8 budget hearing and SCA budget discussion on April 29.