Seaford administrators present 2.264% tax-cap levy and $1.39M increase; capital projects outlined

Ms. Messerole presented the Seaford Union Free School District—s initial 2026-27 budget calculation and recommended a maximum allowable tax-levy growth of 2.264%, which she said equates to an increase of $1,390,943 for the district. "The end result is a tax cap levy of 2.264%," Ms. Messerole said during the presentation.

The presentation explained the standard tax-cap calculation steps: the district starts with the prior year—s levy, applies the tax-base growth factor provided by the New York State Department of Tax and Finance, adds back prior-year PILOTs (payments in lieu of taxes), and subtracts the capital tax levy (debt service and capital costs less estimated building aid) and other applicable exclusions. Ms. Messerole said the Consumer Price Index figure available to district governments exceeded 2%, so the district is capped at the 2% threshold for allowable levy growth.

District officials characterized the recommended levy as modest. Ms. Messerole noted the tax-levy percentage is the second lowest in eight years for Seaford and that, even at that levy level, the district plans to fund several capital projects from reserves and proposed budget allocations. "We are still well within that range here, in Seaford," she said when comparing the district—s number to other Long Island filings.

Planned capital work described in the presentation includes renovating middle school bathrooms near the cafeteria and gym, completing remaining gym renovation components (including replacement windows), and reworking a previously planned high-school drainage project into a combined drainage and outdoor-learning-space initiative. That change would require creating an egress/hallway expansion to provide safe access to the new outdoor area, Ms. Messerole said.

Superintendent Dr. Pecora added context on facilities and operations, praising the buildings and grounds crew for clearing overnight snow and preparing campuses for students. "They really did a phenomenal job," Dr. Pecora said.

Next steps and dates announced by district staff: a March 11 presentation on programs and proposed enhancements, a March 25 review of projected revenues and expenses, April 15 Board budget adoption and property tax report card filing, April 28 BOCES budget vote, May 6 budget hearing (typically at the high school) and the May 19 budget vote and trustee election.

Votes at a glance: The board approved routine grouped agenda items by voice vote during the meeting; the transcript records affirmative "Aye" responses for motions covering items listed as 6.1 & 6.2; 9A1 9A4; 9B1 9B3; 9C1; 9D1; and 9D2. The transcript records only voice votes and does not include a roll-call tally or named movers and seconders, so exact vote counts were not specified.

What this means: If the board adopts a final budget close to the proposed levy, the district would increase its levy by the recommended amount and use a mix of reserves and budgeted capital funding for the projects outlined. The board will receive additional budget detail at the March 11 and March 25 sessions before formal adoption in mid-April.