Lynbrook budget update: cautious optimism, concern over reserve use and breakfast program costs
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Summary
District business staff presented an early 2025–26 budget outlook showing modest state aid increases but continued use of reserves, rising special‑education and transportation costs, and a notable district subsidy of the state‑mandated universal breakfast program.
At the Lynbrook Union Free School District work session on Sept. 25, district business staff gave an early budget forecast for fiscal year 2025–26, describing a modest increase in state Foundation Aid, continued pressure on reserves, and growing costs in special education, transportation and student wellness staffing.
Why it matters: School budgets determine staffing, programming and services. Administrators said the district is in a stronger position than it was last year but stressed prudence because state and federal funding forecasts are uncertain.
Mr. Press presented revenue and expenditure trends. He said Foundation Aid growth was small in 2024–25 (about 1%) but that the 2025–26 forecast showed a somewhat larger increase after the state updated its poverty measurement following a Rockefeller Institute recommendation. He described interest‑income gains from higher short‑term rates in recent years but said recent Federal Reserve rate cuts will likely reduce district interest income going forward.
On expenditures, staff said district hiring increased the number of psychologists, social workers and an in‑district security force; those staffing lines drove recent expense increases. Special‑education costs remain elevated as more students are served in‑district rather than placed out of district. Transportation costs rose after rebids with the district’s primary carrier, and those increases are now “baked in.” Mr. Press said salaries are projected to increase about 2.7% for 2025–26; the district’s salary base was reduced by a retirement incentive that led to about a dozen retirements, which lowered the base for future increases.
Mr. Press characterized the fiscal picture as “cautiously optimistic” compared with last year’s “flashing red light” but warned that reduced federal funding to states or changes to Medicaid funding could create future pressure on state aid. He cited a recent Association of School Business Officials of New York statement and a New York State comptroller analysis pointing to out‑year budget gaps statewide.
Board members asked specific questions about Medicaid and free‑and‑reduced‑price meal forms. A board member noted that cuts to Medicaid and the end of some direct‑certification practices make it more important for families to return free/reduced lunch applications; staff said the district has been encouraging principals to push that message.
On the universal breakfast program, Mr. Press said the district currently supports the program from the general fund and is subsidizing staffing and equipment costs beyond the state reimbursement for meals. He said meal counts at some schools have been two to three times original estimates and the district is evaluating whether more costs can be moved into the school lunch (C) fund to show a clearer audit line item next year. Mr. Press said the district will propose purchasing a new van in the 2026–27 budget to deliver meals to elementary schools and said the district remains actively recruiting monitors to supervise students during breakfast service.
No formal budget approvals occurred at the Sept. 25 work session; staff said formal budget meetings are scheduled for November and the district will wait for the governor’s proposed budget and legislative actions in the coming months.