Sewanhaka district presents $264.2 million 2025-26 budget; $15 million capital reserve proposed

Sewanhaka Central High School District officials on an annual budget hearing presented a proposed 2025–26 general fund budget of $264,214,795 and described a ballot proposition to establish a 2025 capital reserve with an ultimate principal of $15,000,000.

The presentation, led by district presenter O'Brien and staff, summarized the three-part budget (administrative, program and capital), projected state aid and local revenue, proposed capital projects and student-program expansions. The board held procedural votes to open and close the hearing and to appoint a hearing chairperson before the presentation.

The budget as presented divides spending into administrative, program and capital categories. The administrative portion was said to increase by 0.17% (an additional $53,356). The program portion — described as the largest component because it covers instruction, special education, student supports, extracurriculars and transportation — was presented with a year-to-year increase of 3.71%. District presenters stated total district enrollment is just under 8,000 students and that more than 1,100 students currently have individualized education programs (IEPs). English-language-learner enrollment was described as over 700 students, an increase of about 70 students year to year.

Officials outlined curriculum and program additions planned under the program budget, including new biology and earth-and-space science curricula, expanded dual-enrollment offerings with Nassau…