The Rockville Centre Board of Education received the district's proposed 2025–26 budget at its May 8 regular meeting, where staff outlined cost pressures, mitigation measures and the timetable for the public budget vote scheduled May 20.

District staff stated the proposed budget represents a 1.63% increase from the prior year and a 2.6% tax‑levy increase, which staff said is below the district's tax‑cap threshold (2.62%). "We have the budget right now at a 1.63% increase for budget to budget," the budget presenter said. The presenter also told the board the state released preliminary 2026 aid numbers that evening and the district's expected foundation-aid increase remained at about 2% with no change to the district's budgeted state-aid figures.

Administrative materials provided to the board included a $1.8 million transfer to capital for planned facility projects such as office and bathroom renovations, floor and lighting replacements, HVAC repairs, masonry and site work, playground upgrades and ongoing flexible furniture upgrades. The presentation broke the total proposed budget into three components: administrative (8.8 percent), academic program (78.77 percent) and capital (12.43 percent) of total expenditures.

Staff identified major budgetary pressures: a multi‑year rise in health insurance premiums (district budgeted a 10% increase for half the year, reflecting calendar‑year rate changes), a sharp increase in contract and route costs for student transportation (including a noted 30% increase for some BOCES transportation services for 2025–26), and rising general inflation for supplies and services. The superintendent said the district is pursuing mitigation steps, including collective bidding with neighboring districts for transportation contracts, an analysis of route consolidation and in‑house contracting for some runs; staff reported a potential savings of about $150,000–$200,000 by repurposing certain BOCES runs in‑house.

To reduce costs in the proposed budget staff said the district will not replace six retiring teachers, accounted for breakage from other retirements, will not replace one deputy‑level administrator and is abolishing another director position in student services. Staff described those staffing moves as part of the plan to maintain programs while tightening expenditures.

The district also warned the board about the consequences if the proposed budget fails on May 20. Presenters said the board could resubmit the budget for the June revote or adopt a contingent budget immediately; a contingent budget, the presenter said, would require at least $2.77 million in reductions, including elimination of planned capital projects (the $1.8 million transfer to capital), equipment purchases and expanded community use of facilities.

The presenter reminded the public the budget notice had been mailed and that vote day is Tuesday, May 20, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Southside High School main gym. Absentee-ballot and voter-registration deadlines were stated: register with the district clerk by May 15 and apply in advance at least seven days for an absentee ballot; completed absentee ballots must be received by the district clerk by 5 p.m. on election day.

During public comment a resident thanked staff for the state‑aid clarification and asked further questions about transportation increases. The superintendent and budget staff reiterated that the district is estimating CPI‑linked contract increases of about 4–4.5 percent for extended contracts and larger increases when contracts lapse and routes are re‑bid. Staff said districts going to bid have reported multi‑tens‑of‑percent increases in some areas (the presenter cited ranges commonly seen at 30–45 percent when contracts are rebid) and that the district's mitigation work aims to limit the local effect.

No board vote on the budget itself was taken; the presentation was informational and the budget will be decided by voters at the May 20 election. The board did approve routine agenda actions later in the meeting, including accepting a donated outdoor bleacher from the Wilson PTA and approving action items R‑1 through R‑14; motions to accept the donation and approve the consent agenda were moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.