Kings Park board presents $110 million budget with 2.99% tax-levy increase; final state aid adds $77,876

Kings Park Central School District district officials presented the district's adopted 2025— 26 budget at a May 13 public hearing and regular board meeting, reporting a nearly $110 million total budget, a 2.6% budget-to-budget increase and a 2.99% tax-levy increase.

The hearing, held before the board's regular meeting, was led by Doctor Egan, who provided the revenue breakdown and clarified recent changes. "Since our last meeting, we did receive exactly $77,876 additional in final state aid," Doctor Egan said. He described that amount as mostly in special education aid and said the district reduced its planned use of reserves by the same amount.

The budget narrative emphasized the district adopted the spending plan on April 22 and that the numbers presented were final for the May 20 public vote. "The budget itself has not changed. It's a little under $110,000,000," Doctor Egan said. He said the tax-levy increase remained unchanged for several months at 2.99% and the budget-to-budget increase is 2.6%.

Why it matters: the board told voters how the budget will affect taxpayers and what happens if the budget fails. Officials said the average James Clark taxpayer's share equates to about $25.42 a month (roughly $305 a year). Doctor Egan warned that if the budget is rejected at the May 20 vote and again in a subsequent June re-vote, a contingent budget would be required and would force cuts of approximately $3,100,000.

Board process and voting logistics: the district reminded residents the budget vote and school-board election will be held Tuesday, May 20, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Kings Park High School and that the district will run a parallel student vote in the library.

Public-record and clarity notes: Doctor Egan and board members responded to no substantive questions during the hearing portion and the board moved on to the consent agenda. Diane Pullman, the district treasurer, was specifically thanked for preparing the treasurer and claims reports referenced during the meeting.

Looking ahead: district officials asked the community to come vote May 20 and noted that, should the budget fail twice, the district would be forced to adopt a contingent budget and present spending cuts to comply with state law. No board actions to alter the adopted budget were taken at the May 13 meeting.