Connetquot presents $228.8 million draft budget; shortfall hinges on delayed state aid

Connetquot Central School District presented a third draft of its 2025–26 general fund budget at the board’s April 8 meeting, with proposed expenditures of $228,779,052 and a 2.79% increase in spending over the current year. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Robert Hauser led the presentation and told the board the district is waiting for a final state aid number that will determine whether the budget can be adopted without additional cuts or reserve draws.

Hauser said, “the proposed budget of 228,779,052 represents a 2.79 increase in expenditures,” and explained the board is scheduled to adopt a tentative budget in April and hold a hearing in May, with the final budget vote and school board election set for May 20.

The district reported a current shortfall of about $354,310 in the general fund draft. Hauser and presenters explained that the shortfall is narrowly tied to the state’s foundation-aid calculation: a 1% increase in foundation aid would be roughly $360,000 and would…