Syosset board approves 2025-26 budget plan, adds funds for three school buses amid tax-cap squeeze

The Syosset Central School District Board of Education voted to present its proposed 2025-26 budget at a public hearing and approved the district's property tax report card after a budget hearing in April.

Finance staff said the proposed budget of $296,242,000 represents a 3.53% budget-to-budget increase and would result in a proposed tax levy increase of 2.77%, below the calculated tax-cap limit of 2.8%. The administration also included an additional $632,000 in the plan to purchase three buses and proposed using about $9.1 million in restricted reserves to reduce the levy.

The budget presentation, led by Dr. Rufo, framed this year as particularly challenging because of ongoing inflationary pressures, rising health and liability insurance costs, negotiated transportation-contract increases, enrollment growth and uncertainty in state aid. Dr. Rufo said state aid in the executive budget runs was included at $35,000,000 but cautioned that the final state aid figures were not yet confirmed and could change.

The administration described the district's transportation approach as shifting from near-total contracting toward partially owning vehicles. Staff said a purchase of three buses (two sizes) is included in the proposed budget because data show, under current assumptions and with roughly 36% state aid reimbursement on bus purchases, the district would break even on the investment in about three years assuming a 10-year vehicle life. The administration said the $632,000 addition covered the purchase and associated operating costs, and the break-even calculation included drivers, maintenance, inspections and insurance.

Officials discussed electric buses and state restrictions: staff noted New York State rules will limit purchases of diesel buses after 2027 and that electric buses currently cost about $400,000 versus about $250,000 for a diesel bus, raising concerns about charging infrastructure, vehicle weight and upfront cost. For the near term, staff said diesel purchases were being considered with attention to useful life and cost-effectiveness for high-use runs.

The presentation walked through revenue assumptions: the administration projected about a 5.3% increase in local revenue (approximately $7.8 million), largely driven by a new PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) entering the 2025-26 year; interest income of about $2.6 million; and modest tuition adjustments for out-of-district special education placements. The district proposed appropriating $2.9 million from unrestricted reserves and an additional $9.1 million from restricted reserves to hold down the levy. The administration reported audited reserve balances of roughly $31 million and described reserves as an intentional buffer for difficult years.

Board members thanked staff for maintaining programs and keeping the levy under the cap for about 14 consecutive years, noting the district has preserved class sizes, extracurricular programs and expanded mental-health staff during that period. Several board members pressed staff on how reserve levels should be managed going forward; staff recommended flexibility and long-term thinking rather than a rigid target, while acknowledging the board could ask for policy guidance.

During public comment, resident Galena Lampert said rising school taxes had created a serious burden for her household and other neighbors, particularly seniors and families supporting college students. An administrator offered to have district staff follow up to review individual tax bills and county assessments.

Two formal motions closed the hearing: the board voted to present the proposed 2025-26 budget at a public hearing on May 12, 2025, and to approve the district's 2025-26 property tax report card. The presiding officer called for "all in favor" on both motions; no oppositions or abstentions were voiced on the record.

The board indicated it will hold a budget hearing on May 12, 2025, at which staff expect to provide a budget highlight and, possibly, an update on state aid.