Massapequa presents preliminary 2025-26 budget with increases in special education, curriculum and cybersecurity

District leaders presented a detailed first look at the draft 2025-26 budget, highlighting offsetting retiree-related salary savings, rising special-education and consultant costs, investments in new science curriculum materials, and continued pressure from software and cybersecurity expenses.

Ryan Ruff, assistant superintendent for business, said the budget team has prepared 192 budget codes and that the draft aligns with the district's long-range plans. He told the board the district will submit its tax-levy limit calculation by the March 1 filing deadline and emphasized that the calculation shows the maximum levy the district could adopt, not what administrators are recommending.

Administrators told the board that salary savings from roughly 14 teacher retirements produce near-term budgetary relief but that special-education tuition and consultant lines have risen. The district budget includes about $4.6 million in private-school and out-of-district tuition to serve approximately 36 resident students placed outside district schools, and separate BOCES placements currently serve roughly 46 students.

On special education, finance staff said psychological and psychiatric evaluation costs have increased and that the district is budgeting more for outside evaluations and private placements. A transcript exchange noted the special-education tuition code covers approximately 36 students and a separate BOCES-placement line covers about 46 students; staff said figures could change as Committee on Special Education (CSE) decisions are finalized.

The draft budget includes increased allocations for curriculum partnerships—Ruff cited Cold Spring Harbor Labs moving some costs into the general fund after prior grant support—and for new science curricular materials for Earth and space science and biology courses. Administrators also highlighted technology and cybersecurity lines, noting rising software costs and ongoing work to streamline licenses.

On student support, district leaders proposed moving from a contracted social-services provider (YES) to hiring six full-time elementary social workers. The current contract with YES is about $495,000; the district estimated six full-time social workers' salaries and benefits could total about $753,000, an added cost of roughly $258,000 if the transition is made. Administrators said turnover among contracted social workers and the benefits of full-time staff drove the proposal, and they said final decisions depend on state-aid numbers and the board's priorities.

The presentation also covered smaller items such as equipment-threshold changes (equipment capitalization moved to a $1,000 minimum), library management, adult education revenue offsets and an unexpected rise in driver-education contract costs due to insurance increases.