Eastport-South Manor board approves $119.2 million 2025-26 spending plan for voter consideration

The Eastport-South Manor Board of Education voted to submit a $119,194,650 spending plan to district voters on May 20, 2025, the board approved by voice vote following a presentation on district expenditures and revenues.

Administration presented the budget as a 2.93% overall increase over the prior year and said the proposed tax levy increase is 2.97%. "Our tax levy going out is 2.97% for next year, which is within the tax cap," the presenter said, noting the figure is contingent on the state budget. The presentation said the district is projecting revenues from three main sources: the tax levy (about 56%), state aid (about 35.5%) and local revenues (about 8.6%).

Why it matters: The spending plan will appear on the May 20 ballot, where voters will decide whether to adopt the 2025-26 budget. The district's finances depend in part on final state aid allocations, which the administration said had not yet been finalized.

Key details from the presentation include the total proposed expenditures of $119,194,650 and a 2.97% tax-levy increase described as "within the tax cap." The administration said it is monitoring the state budget process; new information about state aid could change final revenue calculations.

The presentation highlighted several revenue items the board discussed: an increase in tuition revenue (the administration described a roughly $300,000 rise tied to incoming special-education placements), nearly $917,000 in pilot payments related to Brookhaven National Lab and solar projects, and anticipated lease/pilot revenue from a planned multi-carrier cell site. The presenter said solar-generated credits currently reduce the district's electricity expense and that the district will ask its energy partners to explain the solar revenue and credit structure at a future meeting.

Board members asked about the district's use of reserves. The administration said the budget assumes appropriating and using about $3.6 million of fund balance for 2025-26 but expects to replenish that amount by year-end, so reserves are not projected to decline. The board discussed the need to highlight the recurring fiscal benefits of solar generation in future budget materials so the public can see how much the panels save the district annually.

The presentation also described a multi-year BOCES contract to lease 700 Chromebooks to replace older devices; the administration said the purchase will be financed over multiple years and is expected to draw an estimated 52% state aid reimbursement in subsequent years.

Action taken: The board approved a resolution "that the 2025-26 spending plan in the amount of $119,194,650 be submitted to the voters on 05/20/2025." The approval was by voice vote; the record shows the motion, a second and an "Aye" vote but does not show a roll-call tally in the minutes.

Next steps: The district will publish final budget materials and hold a public hearing May 7 before the May 20 vote. The administration said it will return to the board with any updated state-aid numbers once the state budget is finalized.