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Residents press East Meadow Board on transportation costs, repeated levy increases and bilingual services at budget hearing
Summary
Community members at the East Meadow UFSD budget hearing raised concerns about transportation contracts that leave buses running with few students, repeated uses of the 3.26% levy cap, and the cost of bilingual materials; trustees and staff responded with contract and legal clarifications.
At a public budget hearing, several residents voiced sharp concerns about how district funds are spent and who bears the tax burden.
One commenter who identified himself at the meeting as Anthony criticized translation and bilingual services, calling them unnecessary and saying, "This is a giant waste of money." A board member responded: "It's the law," explaining the district provides certain bilingual materials to comply with legal requirements.
Concerns about transportation costs were a recurring theme. A resident asked why buses are seen traveling with few or no students, calling it a waste. Trustees and district staff explained the district is contractually obligated to pay transportation providers and must provide legally required transport for students attending half‑day or off‑site programs. As one trustee put it when describing mandated trips to programs such as the Long Island High School for the Performing Arts: "We are required by law to transport those 4, 5 kids... every day." The district does not own the buses and contractors determine vehicle allocation.
Other commenters questioned the regular use of the levy cap. One resident said it "appears like if you don't need it, then why raise it?" Trustees and staff replied that fixed obligations, audits and program needs inform levy decisions and that the district faces higher per‑pupil costs because of its size and program offerings.
Several taxpayers without children in the district said they felt unfairly burdened. One resident noted paying $12,500 in property taxes and questioned paying for services they do not use; another speaker countered that strong schools support property values and benefit the broader community.
Board members encouraged public participation in the May 20 vote and asked residents to share concerns at the hearing so trustees could factor community input into the final budget. "We are taking your input and we will consider it as we move forward in this budget process to May 20," the meeting chair said.
The hearing did not result in any policy changes; trustees said they would continue to evaluate contracts and program priorities as final state aid figures are received.
