Oceanside proposes $186.7 million 2025-26 budget with 1.1% tax levy request
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Summary
At a May 7 budget hearing the Oceanside Union Free School District presented a $186,704,215 proposed operating budget for 2025-26, a 2.93% increase from the prior year, funded by state aid increases, local revenues and a proposed 1.1% tax levy.
The Oceanside Union Free School District presented its proposed $186,704,215 general fund operating budget for the 2025-26 school year at a May 7 budget hearing, saying the spending plan represents a 2.93% increase from last year and would be funded by a mix of state aid, local revenue and a proposed 1.1% property tax levy.
District presenters said the budget preserves full-time staff, maintains programs and keeps a 1-to-1 device model for K–12 students while accommodating inflationary increases in insurance, transportation, utilities and special education.
The district reported that 77% of the proposed spending supports the program component, 13% covers capital items and 10% covers administrative expenses. The presentation listed state aid for 2025-26 at roughly $38.7 million, local revenue sources at about $16.1 million and a projected tax levy of $131,700,000 under the tax cap formula. The district also noted a state-supported Smart Schools Bond Act allocation used to upgrade about 300 desktop computers districtwide and said its Universal Pre-K allocation will allow 287 free seats for eligible 4‑year‑olds.
“Through careful budget planning, we are proud that in Oceanside, 77 percent of all of our expenditures support the program component,” a district presenter said during the hearing. Later in the presentation the district added, “We are confident that with your support, this budget will meet all student needs for the upcoming school year.”
The presenters described a LIPA glide path that reduces LIPA payments to the tax rolls and converts a portion to a direct assessment; the district expects a $4.5 million direct assessment for 2025-26 and said the glide path has represented nearly $12 million in lost revenue since its start. The district also said it projects higher interest income from bank investments, citing improved interest rates and an upgraded Moody’s credit rating.
Two propositions will appear on the May 20 ballot: Proposition 1 is the district’s total expenditure budget (simple majority required), and Proposition 2 is the Oceanside Library contract budget. Trustee elections will also appear on the ballot. Presenters reminded voters that if the budget fails twice the district would be required to adopt a contingency budget that removes certain expenditures while keeping the tax levy the same as the prior year.
The district noted that full copies of the proposed budget, prior budget workshops and audited financial statements are available on the district website and that the budget vote is scheduled for May 20, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Merrill Avenue School gym.
Details of revenue and expenditure lines, state categorical aid calculations and the district’s reserves plan were presented at the hearing and remain available online for public review.
