Board told $3.13M levy increase would keep district at tax cap; trustees demand forensic audit

Connetquot Central School District officials told the board that the proposed 2026–27 budget would increase total spending about 1.9% and raise the tax levy by 2.15 — an increase of roughly $3,132,005.21 — which the presenter said uses allowable tax-cap exclusions and keeps the district inside the controller’s tax‑cap guidance.

The district’s business presenter explained that piercing the tax cap would require a supermajority (60%) to pass the budget, whereas the current plan requires the usual simple majority of voters who turn out. He cautioned the board that state aid figures remain tentative; the governor’s proposal includes a 1% foundation‑aid increase and the district is hopeful for an additional 1% from the legislature.

Trustees pressed administration about a prior February snapshot that at one point showed a roughly $16.8 million variance between projected revenues and expenditures. Multiple trustees said the unexplained variance and ongoing line‑item questions…