Sewanhaka board hears $264.2 million budget, schedules May 20 vote; adopts AI policy and approves personnel and BOCES slate

The Sewanhaka Central High School District presented its proposed $264,214,007.95 budget for 2025–26 during the April 24 board meeting and set a public vote for May 20, 2025; the board also adopted a new artificial intelligence policy and approved multiple personnel and administrative items, including a unanimous vote to support three candidates for the Nassau BOCES board.

The proposed budget, which district presenters described in three parts (administrative, program and capital), would increase overall spending about 3.3% year to year. Presenters said the program portion — which covers classroom instruction, special education, student support services, extracurriculars and transportation — is roughly $200,000,000, a $7,000,000 (3.71%) increase from the prior year. The administrative portion was described as up 0.17% (a $53,356 increase). The district said the capital program will remain near $30,000,000 overall, with a reported $1,000,000 (4.08%) year‑to‑year increase and a listed capital improvement line of $2,659,797.

Why it matters: the budget determines staffing, programs and capital repairs across the district’s four communities, five high schools and other buildings. District leaders told the board the projection relies on the governor’s January aid estimate; the state budget had not been finalized at the time of the presentation and district staff said the hold‑up is policy, not a change in the dollar figures they used.

What the district said Regina Grama and Kevin O’Brien presented the budget breakdown to the board, explaining that state aid projections used in the plan come from the governor’s January estimate and that the district will monitor final state action. The presenters outlined curricular priorities including expanded dual‑enrollment opportunities, continued co‑teaching for inclusion, new diagnostic testing for students entering grade 7, expanded Project Lead the Way/STEM electives and a new district digital literacy program for Health 7.

The presenters also described specific capital work expected next year: roof and masonry repairs at several buildings, parking lot and driveway concrete, water‑heater and pump replacements in boiler rooms, replacement of exterior doors and gym backboard winches, and a large roof segment replacement at Sewanhaka’s auditorium. Officials said some previously authorized projects remain pending state approval (notably restroom and press‑box work at Elmont) and that the district will report status updates at future meetings.

Tax levy and reserve proposal District staff described the tax‑levy calculations used under New York’s tax‑cap framework, saying the district’s calculated levy limit would have been about a 3.07% increase but that the district expects to propose a levy increase “a little under” 2.91%. The administration also said it will seek voter approval of a new 2025 capital reserve proposition on the May ballot intended to let the district set aside up to $15,000,000 over a 10‑year period for future capital work; the reserve would be funded from surplus or unassigned fund balance rather than a direct new tax. The district identified sources of revenue in the plan as state aid (foundation aid listed at $57,800,000 in the slide deck), local tax levy, payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) and appropriated fund balance.

Other board business and outcomes The board voted on a package of routine and walk‑in items during the meeting: personnel appointments, civil‑service and support‑service authorizations, curriculum and finance items, authorization of certain ERS membership amendments, and a board resolution authorizing donation of sick leave for a bargaining‑unit member. The board also unanimously supported a slate of candidates for Nassau BOCES and approved the BOCES administrative operations budget. The board adopted a new district policy on artificial intelligence after the third review.

Public comment and community response During public comment, Claudine Hall, president of the Jamaica Square Civic Association and a parade organizer, announced that board member Tiffany Capers will serve as grand marshal of the Paul Sapienza Belmont Stakes Parade and urged community participation. Another public commenter questioned the board’s decision to support Michael Jaime for a BOCES seat, calling him a “disgraced trustee” and asking whether the board had knowingly placed him on the BOCES ballot. A board member responded that the district received candidate submission packages, that the board reviewed his record in totality and that the board voted unanimously to support him for the BOCES seats.

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes) - Approval of minutes from March 25, 2025 board of education and budget meeting — motion moved by Ms. Peltonin, second Mr. Redden; outcome: approved (motion carries). - Budget presentation for 2025–26 and scheduling of budget vote — presentation by Regina Grama and Kevin O’Brien; outcome: no formal adoption at meeting; vote scheduled May 20, 2025. - Proposition to create a 2025 capital reserve (goal principal up to $15,000,000, 10‑year term) — to appear on May 20 ballot; outcome: scheduled for voter proposition. - Election of Nassau BOCES board candidates (Frank Landstrom, Robert B. A. Schoen, Michael Jaime) — motion moved and seconded on the floor; outcome: board vote to nominate/endorse candidates; motion carries (unanimous). - Nassau BOCES administrative operations budget — motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Curriculum items A–K — motion moved by Ms. Capers, second Ms. Peltonin; outcome: approved. - Finance and operations items A–J — motion moved by Ms. O’Donohue, second Ms. Capers; outcome: approved. - Personnel agenda items A–O (professional) — motion moved by Ms. Pelton, second Ms. Capers; outcome: approved. - Civil service agenda A–F — motion moved by Ms. Capers, second Ms. Wong; outcome: approved. - Support services items A–B — motion moved by Ms. Pelton, second Ms. O’Donohue; outcome: approved. - Legal agenda items A and B (including a resolution and adoption of AI policy after third review) — motion moved by Mr. Redden, second Ms. Pelton; outcome: approved (policy adopted). - Walk‑in items D, E, F (donation of sick leave and ERS membership amendments for specified employees) — motions made and seconded on the floor; outcomes: approved.

What’s next District officials reminded the public the formal budget hearing will be May 7, 2025, and the budget vote and capital‑reserve proposition will be on the ballot May 20, 2025. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 27, 2025.

Ending Board materials, including a full copy of the proposed budget and capital‑project lists, were made available on the district website following the meeting.