South Huntington Board Hears Budget; District Proposes 2.2% Levy, $1.5M for Bus Purchases and $6.1M Capital Transfer
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Summary
District presented a $222.6 million budget proposal with a 2.2% tax levy increase, an estimated $19 monthly hit for the average home, allocation of $1.5 million to buy buses and a $6.1 million transfer to capital; public hearing closed and budget placed on ballot for May 20.
The South Huntington Union Free School District presented its final budget recap Wednesday evening, proposing a 2.2% tax levy for the 2025–26 year and placing the budget on the May 20 ballot alongside a capital reserve proposition.
Mister Conway, the district’s business official, told the board the proposed tax levy equals $129,400,000, and the district estimated state aid at about $77,900,000. Total proposed revenue and expenditures were presented at $222,568,493. "We're able to include a lot of great things in the budget such as bus replenishment, the ability to sustain and enhance our program offerings, continue the partnership with Northwell Health and continuation of our district-wide security and capital improvements," Conway said.
The budget includes $1,500,000 allocated to purchase school vehicles: the administration said the intent is to buy seven 66-passenger diesel buses and four 29-passenger gas vans to replenish the fleet and take back the most efficient routes currently run by a vendor. Conway said the shift to district-operated routes aims to improve service consistency and reduce long-term costs.
Facilities and capital planning are part of the proposal as well. The budget document includes a $6,100,000 transfer to the capital fund for projects identified by the district’s Facilities Committee; the committee has discussed building-by-building needs and projects at prior meetings.
Conway presented reserve usage of $2,990,000 and an appropriated fund balance of $2,790,000. He told the board that the district used some reserves in prior years and is proposing targeted reserve use this year to limit the tax levy. Conway said the latest tentative town assessment produced a smaller-than-expected reduction in assessed value, which improved the tax-rate outlook. Under the district’s calculations, the average homeowner would see a monthly increase of about $19, pending final town assessments and state aid determinations.
Conway said state aid remains uncertain; the district used a conservative $77.9 million estimate based on the governor’s January proposal. He also told the board the district continues to monitor possible increases to the state UPK allotment and other grant opportunities.
The district also plans to ask voters to authorize a capital reserve on the May 20 ballot; Conway said the proposition is designed to reserve funds for future capital projects and would not increase taxes beyond the proposed levy.
The public hearing closed at 9:05 p.m. and the board scheduled the budget vote for May 20 at the high school from 2 to 9 p.m.
