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 positions in case enrollment changes before the school year begins. At middle and high school levels, administrators said they have consolidated or realigned some electives and physical-education sections to match course requests and current enrollment.

Revenue detail: the district identified three major revenue sources. State aid was projected to increase by roughly $5,000,000 compared with the prior year — producing a preliminary state-aid figure of about $38,700,000 for 2025–26, officials said. Dr. Coakley emphasized that universal prekindergarten (UPK) funding is excluded from the general-revenue totals because those dollars are restricted to UPK programming. Local “other” revenues were listed in the presentation and include: a direct-assessment (LIPA glide-path) amount of $4,400,000; proposed interest income of $3,500,000; an appropriated fund balance of $2,750,000; and projected PILOT receipts of $2,500,000. The district put total “other revenues” at $16,192,835. Dr. Coakley said these forecasts are conservative.

On the tax-cap calculation, the district cited the allowable levy growth factor (consumer price index) and said the maximum allowable tax levy for 2025–26 is $131,787,272. Dr. Coakley stated, “Oceanside will be proposing 1 of the lowest tax levy increases this school year” in Nassau County and confirmed the district will propose a tax levy increase of 1.1% that stays below the state cap.

Board member Sandy asked for clarification about the LIPA direct-assessment reductions; Dr. Coakley said this year’s reduction was about $500,000 and noted the seven-year glide path will amount to roughly a 46.5% reduction overall (he estimated the cumulative loss at approximately $32 million by the end of the glide path). Board members also asked whether upcoming retirements would be the primary source of planned staffing reductions; district presenters confirmed retirements are expected to be a main factor.

The board was reminded that the budget vote is scheduled for May 20, 2025, with polling from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Merrill Avenue School gym. Dr. Coakley and other administrators urged residents with detailed questions to review the posted line-by-line budget documents and to contact the business office.

Votes and next steps: the board voted in favor of the district placing the proposed 2025–26 expenditure budget and related propositions on the May 20 ballot. The district also listed a regular board meeting on April 23 and a possible Budget Workshop No. 4 or the May 7 public budget hearing if needed.

The presentation included dates and supports for public review and emphasized that state aid projections will be finalized once the governor’s budget is enacted in April. District staff said they used conservative forecasting for state aid and revenue to limit risk.

The budget presentation also noted the district’s ongoing use of fund balance and reserves to mitigate revenue losses while preserving programs and staff.