South Huntington board adopts $222.57 million 2025–26 budget with 2.2% tax levy

The South Huntington Union Free School District Board of Education on April 9 adopted a $222,568,493 budget for the 2025–26 school year and set a 2.2% tax levy, board members said. The board also approved a CEQA-style resolution that architects characterized as Type II projects, clearing several capital items included in the budget.

The vote came after an overview by Michael Conway, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, who said the district’s revenue picture assumes a 2.2% levy “to be mindful of the taxpayer” while sustaining programs and addressing facilities work. Conway said the district estimates total foundation and expense-based aid of roughly $78.5 million for 2025–26 and noted that legislative state-aid numbers remain subject to change because the New York state budget process was still unsettled.

Board President Mr. Ciappetta led the meeting and Miss Meyer moved and Mr. Joiner seconded the budget adoption motion. The board voted in favor; no roll-call tally was provided in the meeting minutes. The CEQA-style resolution for the multiple capital projects was moved by Mr. Bronson, seconded by Mr. Bingaso, and approved by the board.

Conway provided details on revenue and reserve usage: the district proposes using about $2.99 million in reserves (including Employee Retirement System, workers’ compensation and terminal leave reserves) and an appropriated fund balance of about $2.79 million. He also described $6.1 million proposed as a transfer to capital for facility projects, and said the district’s unassigned fund balance remains at roughly 4% as of June 30, 2024 — a common benchmark for auditors and rating agencies.

On transportation, Conway said the district intends to buy seven 66-passenger buses and four 29-passenger vans next year, explaining that one additional large bus (changed from an earlier 6-and-6 plan) should make several routes easier to bring back in-house from third-party vendors. Facilities work described in the presentation includes renovations at Memorial Building on Pigeon Hill Road (electrical, security, cafeteria, IT and other upgrades), outdoor learning centers at Birchwood and Oakwood, a maker space at Stimson, the high school media center, drainage work at the high school field, parking-lot repairs and a proposed turf field.

Conway cautioned that some revenue numbers are conservative because the state legislative budget was not final. He said estimates used the governor’s January proposal. The board’s adoption moves the budget and a separate capital-reserve proposition onto the public ballot; the public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 7 and the vote is May 20.

Board members used the meeting to press for transparency about Albany’s delayed state budget and to register concerns about state-level policies that may affect district operations. After the formal votes, the board confirmed routine agenda items and approvals tied to the budget process, including election staffing for the May vote.

Votes at a glance - Budget adoption (Resolution to adopt a $222,568,493 budget for 2025–26): Mover: Miss Meyer; Second: Mr. Joiner; Outcome: adopted. - CEQA-style determination for capital projects (resolution finding listed projects Type II/no significant environmental impact): Mover: Mr. Bronson; Second: Mr. Bingaso; Outcome: adopted.

Sources: Board meeting presentation and public remarks by Michael Conway; formal motions and roll-call discussion recorded in the April 9 board meeting transcript.

Ending: The board will present the budget at a public hearing May 7; voters will decide the budget and a capital-reserve proposition on May 20. The district said its fiscal planning assumes some state-aid figures that could change following the state budget.