East Islip board hears first 2025-26 budget presentation; proposes 1.75% levy using $6.4M in reserves

Assistant Superintendent for Business Steve Harrison presented the East Islip Union Free School District’s first draft of the 2025‑26 budget on Thursday, laying out a $129,013,060 spending plan and a recommended tax‑levy increase of 1.75%.

Harrison said state aid in the governor’s proposal would raise foundation aid by roughly 2% (about $820,000 for the district) and that building aid in more recent data may rise “to about 4.5 million” beyond what the governor initially budgeted. He told the board universal prekindergarten funding in the current allocation remains $963,900 and would fund 178 full‑time pre‑K slots.

On the levy, Harrison said the statutory cap calculation permits up to a 2.93% levy increase next year but that the board was proposing 1.75%, with the $900,000 difference covered by appropriating reserves. “We’re able to support the budget currently at 1.75%,” he said, adding that the district will use about $6.4 million in reserves to balance revenue and expenses in this draft. Harrison estimated the impact of a 1.75% levy on a homeowner with an average assessed value of $40,000 would be about $140 annually.

Harrison reviewed revenue and expense drivers: tax levy (about 60% of revenue in the presentation), state aid (about 32%), and approximately $6.4 million in reserves supporting the proposed budget. He attributed modest increases in salaries (about $720,000) partly to contractual wage increases in custodial, maintenance and security staffing and noted 13 anticipated retirements that will be replaced at lower salaries. Equipment line increases (roughly $1 million) reflect planned security upgrades, hardware purchases and certain building projects, including replacement of switchgear at some sites.

Harrison also described a capital reserve proposition slated for the May 20 ballot that would allow the district to fund capital projects — mechanical, electrical, plumbing and building renovations — from an authorized reserve rather than borrowing, and said the district is considering up to $3 million in projects next year funded from that reserve if voters approve it. He said the board will refine presentation materials and post corrected charts on the district website.

Board members pressed Harrison for details about the difference between the allowable cap and the proposed levy and whether the lower levy required cuts to staff or programs. Harrison said the gap is being covered with reserves and that further state aid adjustments are still possible while the legislature finalizes its budget. A board member requested the additional 10‑year average tax‑levy calculation be included in the next presentation.

The district’s next budget presentation is scheduled for March 27; a second public hearing and board adoption are on the calendar ahead of the May 20 vote.