Board reviews modest budget changes, approves several routine items and policies; coach questions seventh-grade varsity eligibility

The East Hampton Board of Education heard presentations from school and district leaders reviewing proposed budgets and routine business for the 2026–27 year, approved consent items and policies by voice vote, and took public comment on an athletics eligibility question.

Budget and program highlights: Dr. Soriano opened the hearings by calling the district's plan "modest," saying staff made "strategic" increases to specials such as technology and art after years of level funding.

A John Marshall elementary leader said the proposed 2026–27 budget for that school "is very similar to the years past" and noted the district is again including state-required pre-K screening materials. A different school leader said a language program is expanding into seventh grade next year, and the middle-school presenter reported a small net reduction in that building's budget compared with prior years.

Early-childhood services: An administrator reported the district has formed a partnership with Suffolk County to provide related services to preschoolers, an arrangement that will allow county reimbursement for those services.

Athletics and operations: Athletic Director (S6) reported the athletics budget is down 7.7% and said the district has replaced approximately 80% of its football helmets over four years. He also noted modest increases to some officials' fees recommended by auditors.

Service learning and student activities: Staff described a new towel drive organized by a middle-school club to collect clean, used towels and blankets for an animal rescue group (ARFF) as a service-learning activity. Staff and students also highlighted upcoming March events, a student exhibit at the Parrish Art Museum and multiple students who qualified for regional science fairs.

Consent agenda and policies: The board approved a one-time retirement incentive memorandum of agreement and set the annual budget vote and trustee election for May 19, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The board discussed and approved using paper ballots this year to reduce costs. The board accepted a donation of 39 copies of Montauk Mike from Bookhampton ($538.05), approved budget transfers and annual contracts for 2025–26, and completed second readings and adoptions of revised policies including procurement, federal uniform grant guidance, school safety plans, a cybersecurity incident response policy and a parents' bill of rights for data privacy.

Public comment on athletics policy: Shani Plesta identified herself during public comment as "the girls track coach for the varsity team" and asked whether seventh graders could be allowed to participate on varsity. Plesta said she was unsure whether she was "misreading the policy that's on the school website." Athletic Director (S6) replied that district practice has been that "the seventh grader should not [be] permitted on athletic teams if there is the same sport allowable at the modified level, which there is a track," and that the athletic committee had discussed the matter in executive session because it concerns individual students.

Next steps and context: Staff flagged rising labor costs and facilities expenses (including more than $233,000 spent on snow removal and related work) as operating pressures that factor into budget planning and capital choices. Routine contract, personnel and policy items will be reflected in the final budget materials and public information ahead of the May 19 vote.