Huntington board adopts $157.8 million budget for May ballot; voters to consider capital project and $15 million reserve

The Huntington Union Free School District Board of Education on April 22 adopted a $157,776,153 budget for the 2025–26 school year and voted to place it on the May 20 ballot, while also approving a proposed capital project and asking voters to authorize a new capital reserve.

The board’s action sends three propositions to voters: Proposition 1, the 2025–26 operating budget of $157,776,153; Proposition 2, a capital project that includes roof and field-bathroom work and stage/fire upgrades (proposed project cost listed at $3,642,500); and Proposition 3, establishment of a new capital reserve not to exceed $15,000,000 with a probable 10‑year term. Board members approved the budget and related documents including the property tax report card by unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: the district reported a proposed 2.89 percent tax levy increase to be presented to the community and a tax-rate illustration increasing from $262.17 to $269.74 per $100,000 assessed value (a $7.57 change based on current assessed information). Presenters warned that the state aid picture remained unsettled; if the budget is adopted but state aid differs, the district could face a “contingent budget” scenario requiring reductions.

Most important facts first: the board approved the operating budget to place before voters, described the key capital repairs included in the capital proposition, and sought voter permission to create a long-term capital reserve. District staff explained programmatic highlights included in the budget such as continued dual language sections (grade 4 dual language sections projected at about 28.6 students), one additional district social worker, maintenance of many Advanced Placement offerings (32 AP courses cited), continued device replacement, and a new parent transportation app with geofencing and GPS bus tracking planned for rollout in September.

During the presentation staff outlined the contingency scenario used for public planning: if voters reject the proposed budget or state aid decreases, the district’s contingent budget would be constrained to the prior year’s tax levy and would require roughly $3.9 million in reductions. Staff said that amount would equate to about $681.45 per student and would affect class sizes, staffing, transportation, non‑mandated programs, athletics and extracurriculars. The presentation also identified $260,000 in the proposed budget as a transfer to capital to fund smoke separation doors at Flower Hill and Jefferson, a smoke‑separation door at Woodhull, and panic‑hardware work.

Board members and administration acknowledged uncertainty in state aid numbers. Superintendent and business‑office presenters said the district used the governor’s budget assumptions and the latest CPI adjustment in their planning but that final state aid figures could change before the vote. The board scheduled a public budget hearing on May 12 and reminded residents the budget vote and school board election will take place on May 20.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the 2025–26 budget to be placed on the May 20 ballot (motion moved/not specified; second by Bill; outcome: approved — voice vote, “all in favor” recorded); the associated property tax report card was approved (second by Bill; approved); Proposition 2 capital project language and the proposed $15,000,000 capital reserve were presented for voter approval (information presented; reserve establishment put on ballot as Proposition 3); the board also approved routine business items including prior meeting minutes (04/07/2025), certified warrants (04/09/2025), personnel schedules, CSC/CPSC curriculum submissions, the Western Suffolk BOCES administrative budget for 2025–26, and the slate of three candidates for Western Suffolk BOCES trustee (motions carried, voice votes recorded as unanimous). Several donations to scholarship funds were accepted as listed in the meeting materials.

Context and supporting detail: presenters displayed the three‑part budget breakout (administrative, program, capital) and compared prior year to proposed year totals. They said the proposed levy being presented to voters is 2.89 percent and that projected state aid was included using current guidance; presenters noted a small CPI change (from 3.1% to 2.9%) and foundation‑aid adjustments that the district had already incorporated. Staff highlighted program and capital priorities: safety and building envelopes, auditorium renovations funded by a previously approved capital plan, continued participation in extracurricular programs (FIRST LEGO League, National History Day, mock trial, eSports, drama), and a new cybersecurity course in computer science.

What’s next: the board’s adopted budget and propositions will appear on the May 20 ballot. The board will hold a public budget hearing on May 12. If voters reject the budget or if final state aid substantially differs, the district will prepare a contingent budget that staff say would require multi‑million dollar reductions affecting non‑mandated services.

Ending note: board members thanked staff for the budgeting work under uncertain state guidance and emphasized outreach to the community ahead of the May hearing and vote.