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East Hampton board adopts $89.9 million proposed budget, approves repair-reserve projects
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Summary
The East Hampton Board of Education adopted a $89,924,342 proposed budget to present to voters and approved repair-reserve expenditures for summer facilities work, including a UPS replacement, gym mats, radio upgrades and instrument purchases.
The East Hampton Board of Education on Tuesday adopted a proposed $89,924,342 spending plan for the 2026–27 school year and approved a package of repair-reserve projects to be scheduled this summer.
The budget was approved by the board for submission to the public; a budget hearing is scheduled for May 5, 2026, and the district-wide vote is set for May 19, 2026, the board was told. Chair (reading the superintendent’s recommendation) said the district would present the tax report card alongside the proposed plan.
Why it matters: The budget sets local spending levels and the property-tax levy that will go before voters. Board members emphasized the district’s need to fund repairs and maintain school facilities while keeping the plan compliant with state caps.
The board also approved repair-reserve expenditures presented by Sam, a district staff presenter, who said the voters approved a repair reserve in May 2025 that allows the district to fund up to $7,500,000 of work and that “as of last week or the week before, there was just over $1,000,000 left in the repair reserve that has not been appropriated for any particular use yet.” Sam outlined recommended projects including replacement of the building UPS (uninterruptible power supply), new gym mats to replace worn wrestling mats, new handheld radios for coaches and staff, an HVAC control software upgrade, replacement instruments for the music program, and a used forklift for the transportation center.
Board procedure and votes: The superintendent’s recommendations and individual consent items were moved and approved by voice vote. For the budget item the chair said the proposal will be presented at the public hearing on May 5, and, “subject to approval of the voters,” the budget vote is scheduled for May 19, 2026.
Details and next steps: The repair-reserve projects were presented for public hearing and later incorporated into the superintendent’s agenda for formal approval. Board members asked staff about scheduling; Sam said stair-tread work and the UPS replacement would be done ‘‘this summer as long as the contractor can get us on schedule.’’ The district will proceed with contracting and scheduling once appropriations are finalized.
What wasn’t recorded: The transcript records voice votes with “Aye” responses but does not show a roll-call tally for individual board members. Specific contract awards, vendors and final appropriation line-items were not named in the public remarks and are recorded in administrative files.
The board moved on to routine business after the approvals; the meeting adjourned with the board reminding the community about the May 19 budget vote.
