Syosset proposes $296.2 million 2025–26 budget; tax levy increase kept below cap

The Syosset Central School District presented a $296,242,000 proposed budget for the 2025'6 school year and said the proposed tax levy increase is 2.77%, $67,000 under the district's calculated tax-cap of 2.80.

The budget presentation, delivered by a district administrator as the third of four budget hearings, outlined a budget-to-budget spending increase of about 3.53% and proposed using $9.1 million in restricted reserves and $2.9 million of the 4% fund balance to help hold down the levy.

Why it matters: The plan keeps the district under its tax levy limit while continuing current programs and adding limited staff in response to enrollment and special-education needs. Board members pressed administrators on the durability of reserves and the uncertainty of state and federal aid, which could affect long-term finances.

The district identified inflationary pressures driving the budget gap, including higher health-insurance and liability costs, transportation contract increases and rising prices for supplies and materials. The administration said it used the latest available state-aid estimate — $35,000,000 from the executive proposal — and adjusted that figure for expected building-aid closeouts and BOCES-related reimbursements.

Administrators said local revenue is projected to rise about 5.3%, an increase of roughly $7.8 million mostly driven by the addition of one PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) in Nassau County, and noted tuition and investment interest adjustments in local receipts.

On reserves, the presentation explained the district proposes using about $9.1 million of restricted reserves in 2025'6, roughly $2 million more than the prior year. The district reported audited reserves around $31 million at the end of last year and said the proposed draw would represent about 30% of that audited balance. Officials said reserves are published in the annual audit and that the district consults auditors before using them.

Board members questioned whether the district should set a formal percentage target for reserves. Several trustees said flexibility and transparency are preferable to a hard target, while one trustee recommended a goalpost system (for example, high/low thresholds to trigger board review). The administration said it will continue to brief the board and the public as the budget is refined.

Administrators cautioned that state aid remains uncertain: the CPI used in state calculations has fallen since the executive budget, and revenue forecasts for New York State depend heavily on personal income taxes tied to Wall Street revenues. The district said it does not expect increases in federal funding and is watching state revenue trends carefully.

The presentation summarized the capital and district projects included in the proposed budget, including tennis-court and ADA restroom work at a secondary campus, upgraded auditorium sound and lighting, and districtwide electrical, roofing, masonry and paving work. The allocation for capital projects in the proposed budget remains at $4.325 million.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows a motion to enter a special meeting was moved by Miss Levitan and seconded by Mr. Greco; the transcript records the motion and second but does not specify a recorded vote tally or formal outcome in the available excerpt. A resolution to adopt the proposed budget and the accompanying property tax report card was stated as the next formal action to be presented to the board but was not voted on in the provided transcript.

The board scheduled a further budget hearing on May 12, when administrators expect to highlight budget items and possibly provide an update on state aid.