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West Hempstead budget workshop spotlights transportation, insurance and a $13M energy project
Summary
Superintendent Mr. Raymond and district staff presented the noninstructional portion of the 2026–27 budget, highlighting projected transportation costs of $11.35M, health insurance rising to $13.24M, pension increases and an anticipated $13M energy performance contract that will require bond counsel and fiscal adviser fees.
Superintendent Mr. Raymond and district finance staff presented the West Hempstead Union Free School District’s first budget workshop focused on noninstructional items for the 2026–27 fiscal year, flagging transportation, insurance, pension and capital financing as principal cost pressures.
"We are not in a crisis, but we are making serious, intentional decisions right now," Mr. Raymond said, framing the presentation around transparency and long‑term planning. He noted state fiscal changes and Board of Regents proposals that could alter graduation pathways, but said the immediate budget pressures are noninstructional.
Business office staff (Mr. Phillips) reviewed line items and projections. Key figures cited in the presentation include contracted transportation projected at $11,352,548 (about 14% of total spending), health insurance projected at $13,236,738 (about 15.6% of the budget), ERS pension contributions at $1,133,522 and TRS at $2,146,037. Mr. Phillips said the treasurer line is higher this year because it includes bond counsel and fiscal adviser fees tied to a proposed energy performance contract (EPC) with approximately $13,000,000 in project value.
On energy and capital work, Mr. Phillips said the district recently finished payments on a prior 15‑year EPC and is pursuing a new project intended to improve energy efficiency and produce long‑term savings; financing details are still being finalized and solar installations, if any, are likely to fall into the 2027–28 planning window. He noted the treasurer line contains an estimate for bond counsel and fiscal advisers associated with that lease process.
The board and staff also discussed transportation alternatives for low‑ridership runs. Several board members suggested exploring leased vans or a small district fleet for certain routes; staff cautioned that loss of scale, driver availability, CDL and insurance requirements, backup capacity if a vehicle fails, and the capital and operational costs of owning vehicles make district operation of small vans complex. Mr. Phillips agreed to gather more detailed options analysis and cost estimates.
Other details in the presentation: a $600,000 transfer to capital to replace two underground oil tanks this summer (one tank already replaced with grant support from a local senator), an accounting entry related to copier leases in an OID/accounting line, and an explanation that final insurance and state aid figures remain estimates pending vendor quotes and the final state budget. Mr. Phillips emphasized that all numbers were preliminary and the budget will be revised as new information becomes available.
What’s next: the board will hold an instructional session two weeks later to review curriculum and staffing, with the budget hearing scheduled for May 5 and the budget vote on May 19 at the secondary school North Gym from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
