Oceanside presents $186.7 million proposed 2025–26 budget, plans 1.1% tax-levy increase

OCEANSIDE, N.Y. — At its March 12 board meeting, the Oceanside Board of Education presented Budget Workshop No. 3 for the 2025–26 school year and proposed a $186,704,215 expenditure budget, representing a 2.93% increase over the prior year, with a recommended tax-levy increase of 1.1% that falls under the state tax-cap ceiling.

The proposal matters because the district said it preserves current instructional programs and staffing while responding to enrollment shifts and rising costs; the board voted to place the budget and related propositions on the May 20, 2025 ballot. Dr. Coakley said the district’s proposed budget reflects “a final proposed expenditure budget of $186,704,215 or a 2.93% budget increase from the prior year.”

District officials outlined how they tightened the plan to avoid layoffs while aligning staffing to enrollment. Dr. DeRosa told the board the district is projecting two fewer elementary sections next year and will hold funding for two reserve teacher…