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East Rockaway UFSD adopts $49,244,884 budget; levy set to rise 2.69%
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Summary
The East Rockaway Union Free School District board on April 21 adopted a $49,244,884 budget for 2026–27 that projects a 2.69% tax‑levy increase; the board set a May 5 budget hearing and a May 19 budget/trustee vote and approved a Proposition No. 2 capital ask of up to $1.6 million to voters.
The East Rockaway Union Free School District Board of Education on April 21 adopted a $49,244,884 budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year, approving the proposal by voice vote after a budget work session that included department presentations and fiscal detail.
Board Chair Miss Donnell called for adoption of the proposed budget and recorded a motion by Miss Salufo and a second by Miss Lonergan; the board approved the resolution by voice vote. Superintendent Mr. Van Wert presented the three‑part budget earlier in the meeting and said the district expects the proposed budget to be funded roughly 75% by property taxes and about 20% by state aid.
Why it matters: the board’s plan projects a 2.69% increase in the tax levy for 2026, which Van Wert said translates to about a $232 annual increase (about $19.33 per month) for a typical residential taxable assessed value in East Rockaway. Van Wert also flagged that one percentage point of the expenditure increase is attributable to debt service tied to recent energy performance and bond projects.
The board calendar and next steps: Van Wert said a public budget hearing is scheduled for May 5 at Center Avenue and that voters will decide the budget and trustee election on May 19, with polls open at the high school from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The district also approved the Real Property Tax Report Card and will submit it to the State Education Department the next business day.
Capital projects and reserves: the superintendent outlined a Proposition No. 2 on the ballot seeking authorization not to exceed $1.6 million to fund a middle‑school roof replacement, high‑school exterior fascia restoration and HVAC/weatherization upgrades to the athletic complex. He also described planned uses of capital reserves and an ERS reserve draw to reduce levy pressure; Van Wert said using capital reserves has no direct tax impact.
Budget drivers: the program component accounts for about 74.17% of total expenditures and Van Wert identified special education staffing, salary and benefit increases, and higher transportation costs as the primary cost drivers. The board approved the budget at the meeting’s close and moved into executive session to discuss contract negotiations.
What’s next: public budget hearing May 5 at Center Avenue; budget and trustee vote May 19 at the high school.
