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Hauppauge projects 3.25% tax-levy, places energy-performance proposition on May ballot
Summary
At a budget workshop, district administrators presented a proposed tax-levy increase of 3.25% and outlined Proposition 2 asking voters to allow the district to capture an extra 10% state contribution for an energy performance contract that administrators say would generate more than $1.14 million in annual energy savings.
Dr. Murphy, superintendent of the HAUPPAUGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, and Ms. Siena, assistant superintendent for business and operations, presented a draft 2025–26 spending plan at the board’s April 1 budget workshop, including a tax-levy projection of 3.25% and two propositions for the May 20 vote.
The administration said Proposition 1 will be the district’s annual budget proposition; Proposition 2 would authorize the district to accept an additional 10% of project funding from the state tied to an energy performance contract (EPC). "We don't have to have voter approval for an energy performance contract; we are only seeking approval to capture the additional 10% from the state," Ms. Siena said during the presentation.
Why it matters: district officials said the EPC would fund upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting and other energy-related systems while using projected energy savings to pay back installation costs. Ms. Siena said the firm selected to perform the work is completing a no-cost detailed engineering audit; the administration expects audit findings by late summer and there will be no direct taxpayer increase tied to the savings model.
Key details and timeline: Ms. Siena reported the draft tax-levy rate at 3.25%. The administration described the overall budget increase as 3.88% year to year (presented at the workshop). The district will hold its formal budget adoption on April 22, a budget hearing on May 13, and the budget and propositions will appear on the May 20 ballot. The administration said the EPC detailed audit is ongoing and will be presented to the board and the community after completion.
Projected savings: The administration estimated the EPC would produce annual energy-cost savings of more than $1,140,000; those savings, the district said, would be applied to infrastructure upgrades. District staff also emphasized a student-engagement component built into the EPC scope, intended to use the project as a learning tool for students.
What remains uncertain: The presentation referenced the total budget figure and several line items during slides shown to the board; the precise, final budget totals the board will adopt on April 22 and that will appear on the voter materials. State aid and final state budget actions were described as pending; administrators said they were monitoring the governor’s budget and expected updates before the April 22 adoption.
Public and next steps: The district plans building-level PTA outreach meetings ahead of the May vote and will present the EPC audit results to the board and community when available.
